- General goals and objectives
Become an excellent interdisciplinary research group on carbon nanomaterials and related materials (carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene (Gr), boron nitride (hBN), etc.) at the regional and international level.
- Specific goals and objectives
+ Successfully fabricate and functionalize the surface of carbon nanomaterials with metal nanoparticles.
+ Application orientation of carbon nanomaterials and related materials for electrochemical sensors to determine the concentration and evaluate the photocatalytic decomposition of toxic substances; in optoelectronic components and thermal management for electronic devices; and in composite coatings and energy storage.
+ Contribute to training and building high-quality human resources in the field of materials science in general and carbon nanomaterials in particular.

(1) Based on the research results on advances in the fabrication and application of nanocarbon materials and related materials for sensors, photocatalysts decomposition of toxic substances, for thermal management, for composite coatings and for energy storage, we have selected suitable methods for fabrication, surface functionalization and application of these materials suitable.
(2) By thermal CVD method, multi-wall CNTs, double-wall CNTs, porous Gr membrane, Gr-CNTs, Gr-CNTs/Au and Gr/CNTs/hBN composites were successfully fabricated. By chemical method, CNTs-COOH, Gr-COOH, hBN-(OH, NH2 and Alkyl), CNTs and Gr with AuNPs and AgNPs; hBN with AuNPs were successfully synthesized and functionalized.
(3) Using the carbon nanomaterials and related materials for electrochemical sensors and photocatalysis were tested and evaluated:
For electrochemical sensors: Gr-CNTs/Au and Gr/CNTs/hBN composite materials were used in electrochemical sensors to determine the concentration of pesticide residues. The research results show that the sensor for determining FNT concentration based on Gr/CNTs/AuNPs/PANi has a low limit of detection (LOD), about 1.35 x 10-3 ppb. The relative standard deviation (RSD) value is calculated as 4.42%; The sensor for determining DDVP concentration based on Gr/CNTs/hBN/APTES has a low LOD of 1.02×10-4 ppb and the RSD of 1.63%. The results show the potential application of these composite materials in electrochemical sensors for determining low concentrations of pesticide residues.
For photocatalysis: Gr with TiO2, Gr-hBN with TiO2 and C-MoS2 with TiO2 for photocatalysis decomposition of toxic substances were fabricated and evaluated. The results showed that: under UV light radiation at 254 nm within 80 minutes, 3D TiO₂@Gr material can decompose RhB dye with an efficiency of up to 98.5%, and a decomposition rate k = 0,069 min-1; 3D TiO2@rGO-hBN material can decompose MB with an efficiency of ~97%, and a decomposition rate k = 0,046 min-1;
(4) Using the CNTs, graphene and hBN for thermal conductive materials was tested and evaluated:
For thermal grease: 06 types of silicon thermal grease, including: silicon thermal grease containing CNTs, Gr, hBN, CNTs/Ag, Gr/Ag and hBN/Ag were fabricated and used for the heat dissipation on CPU devices. Compared to silicon thermal grease, the CPU’s temperature reduced about 4°C when using the silicon grease containing 1% wt. Gr and reduced about 5°C when using silicon grease containing 1% Gr/Ag.
For cooling liquid: 06 types of DW/EG liquid containing CNTs, Gr, hBN, CNTs/Ag, Gr/Ag and hBN/Ag were fabricated and used for the heat dissipation on LED devices. Compared to DW/EG, the LED’s temperature reduced about 3°C when DW/EG containing 1% wt. Gr and reduced about 4°C when using DW/EG/1% Gr/Ag.
(5) Using the carbon nanomaterials and related materials for composite coatings was fabricated and evaluated:
For Ni/MWCNTs composite coating: The results show that MWCNTs fibers were distributed uniformly in the Ni matrix. The addition of MWCNTs (0.15 g/L) has significantly improved the mechanical properties of the Ni matrix. The Ni/MWCNTs composite coating achieved an average hardness of 215 HV, ~15% higher than the pure Ni matrix (187 HV).
For Ni/GO composite coating: The results show that GO flakes were distributed uniformly in the Ni matrix. The addition of GO has significantly improved the mechanical properties of the Ni matrix. The Ni/GO (0.15 g/L) composite coating achieved an average hardness of 244 HV and ~ 270 HV for Ni/GO (0.3 g/L) composite coating, ~44% higher than the pure Ni matrix (187 HV).
For Ni/hBN composite coating: The results show that hBN flakes were distributed uniformly in the Ni matrix. The addition of hBN has significantly improved the mechanical properties of the Ni matrix. The Ni/hBN (0.2 g/L) composite coating achieved an average hardness of 255 HV, ~36% higher than the pure Ni matrix (187 HV).
(6) Using the carbon nanomaterials and related materials for electrical and electronic components was fabricated and evaluated:
For energy storage: Compared with electrode materials using graphite, exfoliated graphene and rGO, electrode materials using CNTs-Si@C showed clear superiority in lithium storage capacity. The discharge capacity for the first cycle reached ~1600 mAh/g, while the reversible capacity remained about ~600 mAh/g after many cycles. These results are higher than the electrode using only MWCNT. The Coulomb efficiency can reach 100% for the first cycles, indicating that the lithium/delithiation process was reversible and stable. For LFP|CPE|Li cells using PEO/B-OH1.2, the membrane exhibits stable cycling for over 800h at 0.1 and 0.2 mA cm-2. In full-cell configurations, LFP|PEO/BOH1.2|Li maintains around 120 mAh.g-1 for 100 cycles at 0.5 C (50oC) with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. Using B-OH nanoflakes helps to balance ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, as well as interfacial robustness.
For conductive thin films: The film containing PEDOT:PSS/Gr-CNT showed a good transmittance of about 85% , surface resistance of 105 Ω/sq and quality factor (Φ) of 18.69 × 10⁻³Ω⁻¹. The film containing PEDOT:PSS/GO-AgNP showed a transmittance of 70% and surface resistance of 109 /sq.

1) Mastering the technology of synthesis and surface functionalization of graphene (Gr), CNTs and hBN materials with Au, Ag metal nanoparticles.
+ Gr-CNTs/AuNPs and Gr-CNTs/hBN composite materials were successfully fabricated and used for electrochemical sensors to determine pesticide residues concentrations at low concentrations of ppb; Additionally, synthesized and evaluated the use of Gr-hBN/TiO2 composites for the photocatalytic degradation of specific organic pollutants
2) By thermal CVD method, porous film composites of Gr-CNTs/Au and Gr/CNTs/hBN with high conductivity and electrochemical active surface area were successfully fabricated. These porous composite films were used as electrode materials of electrochemical sensors for detection of fenitrothion (FNT) and dichlorvos (DDVP).  The research results show that the sensor for determining FNT concentration based on Gr/CNTs/AuNPs/PANi has a low limit of detection (LOD), about 1.35 x 10-3 ppb. The sensor for determining DDVP concentration based on Gr/CNTs/hBN/APTES has a low LOD of 1.02×10-4 ppb.
3) Using hydrothermal method combined with thermal CVD method, a three-dimensional urchin-like TiO2@Gr with a core @ shell structure was successfully synthesized. This composite material was used as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate and its photocatatlytic degradation for several toxic substrates (RhB, MB) was evaluated. The SERS and photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of material were also clarified.
4) Evaluated the thermal management properties of silicon thermal grease and thermal liquid containing Gr, CNTs and hBN with AgNPs nanocomposite for heat dissipation of CPU and LED chip cooling. Compared to silicon thermal grease, the CPU’s temperature reduced about 5°C when using the silicon grease containing 1% wt. Gr-COOH/Ag. The thermal conductivity of the DW and EG cooling fluids containing 0.05% Gr-CNTs/Ag improved, increasing to 38% and 52% at 55oC, respectively. Performed in-depth mechanistic analysis and theoretical calculations for the heat dissipation materials.
5) Clarified the influence of CNTs, Gr, and hBN through systematic comparison of three Ni-based composite coating systems. Identified the optimal reinforcement material and established a quantitative relationship between nanomaterial content, morphology, and mechanical properties to provide a scientific basis for optimization. The results showed that the Ni/GO (0.3 g/L) coating had an average hardness of approximately 270 HV, which was about 44% higher than pure Ni coating (187 HV).
6) Evaluated the electrochemical performance of Li-ion batteries using carbon nanomaterials and hBN material. For LFP|CPE|Li cells using PEO/B-OH1.2, the membrane exhibits stable cycling for over 800h at 0.1 and 0.2 mA cm-2. In full-cell configurations, LFP|PEO/BOH1.2|Li maintains around 120 mAh.g-1 for 100 cycles at 0.5 C (50oC) with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. Evaluated the conductivity of carbon/Ag nanomaterial thin films, towards the application of these thin films for electronic devices. 
7) The main results of the project have been published in 04 international papers of Q1, IF IF ≥ 4.6; 03 Q2, IF=2.7 and 01 paper under reviewed in international journals (Q1); 03 presentations (invited talk/oral/poster) at national scientific conference; 01 Patent product (accepted); Training of 01 master and 01 PhD (successfully defended the thesis) and support for training of 02 PhD candidate (carrying out the doctoral dissertation within the framework of the project).
8) Contributing for the research group’s development: adding two Assocociate Professors; expanding close and in-depth cooperation with several strong international and domestic research group of Osaka University, Japan; University of Sciene, Thai Nguyen University; Graduate University of Sience and Technology (GUST); Hanoi National University of Education; University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH).

The project has been carried out on schedule and has successfully achieved the proposed objectives. Several outcomes have even exceeded the targets stated in the project proposal. The Principal Investigator respectfully requests the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to approve the acceptance of this project.
It is also proposed that VAST consider providing continued support and funding to further develop the research directions achieved in this project, strengthen the research group, enhance international publication capacity, expand scientific collaboration both domestically and internationally, and promote the application of research results in practice.