Grafting modification and structural degradation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes under the effect of ultrasonics sonochemistry

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by the degradation effect of ultrasonics sonochemistry. PVP macroradicals formed by sonochemical degradation of a PVP solution were trapped by MWCNTs and grafted onto the surface of MWCNTs. It was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis that the PVP was covalently bonded on the MWCNTs. Transmission electron microscopy showed nanotubes in the grafted samples were shorter than the original MWCNTs due to the crushing effect of ultrasonics sonochemistry. Both the decrease in length of the MWCNTs and the PVP grafted onto them are beneficial for their dispersion in solvents.     

Effect of different microwave-based treatments on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Three new methods for the functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are reported using microwave (MW) energy and water as a mild chemical agent. In the first method we reported the effect of MW irradiation on a dispersion of MWCNTs in deionized water, in the second method we studied the exposing of MWCNT to microwave irradiation in the presence of steam, and in the third method we used microwave oven-generated plasma for the functionalization of MWCNTs. We also performed thermal oxidation and acid treatment as two conventional methods for oxidative functionalization of carbon nanotubes, to compare their effect with our results. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy results showed that although these microwave methods introduced some defects to the carbon nanotubes, the damage was less severe than conventional treatments. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements confirmed that the functionalization of carbon nanotubes by these methods favored hydroxyl groups, which are useful when further functionalization is required.     

Origin of the low-frequency band in Raman spectra of multi-walled carbon nanotubes synthesized by the CVD method

The origin of the low-frequency band (250–300 cm^?1) in the Raman spectra of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) produced by the CVD method has been studied. The studies performed by Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Auger spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after chemical and thermal treatments allow the assumption that this band belongs to radial vibrations of carbon atoms in internal walls of MWCNTs.     

Deposition of silver nanoparticles on carbon nanotube by chemical reduction method: Evaluation of surface,thermal and optical properties

Silver was stabilized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by chemical-reduction technique using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a reducing agent. The influence of silver on the performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was investigated by employing Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RAS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). FTIR as well as RS methods evidenced the synthesis procedure using chemical reduction method was successful. Performing TGA of the samples under oxygen atmosphere demonstrated that the silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) generated on MWCNTs surface can decrease the thermal stability of the particles by the catalytic oxidation of CNTs. In contrary, the thermal stability of the MWCNTs has improved under nitrogen atmosphere. EDX results showed the presence of Ag, Au and Co on the surface of deposited sample. The synthesised silver multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ag–MWCNTs) were found to have higher UV reflection activity compared with untreated particles. The Ag–CNTs can be used in producing anti-UV composites.     

Influence of the electronic distribution of polymers in the spatial conformation of polymer grafted carbon nanotube composites

In this work we report the covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylpyridine (PVP) by the graft from method. Differences in the electronic distribution of both polymers resulted in different interaction between polymers and the nanotubes. It was found that PVP chains wrapped the nanotubes while nanotubes functionalized with PAN presented PAN chains forming amorphous entanglements on the nanoscale linked to the MWCNTs. Differences in the conformation between both polymers and the MWCNTs can be attributed to interactions between the aromatic groups in PVP and the MWCNTs through π–π stacking. The absence of aromatic groups in the case of the PAN chains favours the interaction between them. The functionalization efficiency was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV–vis spectroscopy, while morphological changes were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy.     

超长定向含铁多壁碳纳米管阵列的制备

采用无模板化学气相沉积法,以二茂铁为催化剂,二甲苯为碳源,利用单温炉加热装置制备了定向碳纳米管阵列。运用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、拉曼光谱和X射线衍射仪等对定向碳纳米管阵列的形貌、成分和物相进行细致的分析和表征。结果表明:制得的碳纳米管阵列具有良好的定向性和多壁管状结构,并且石墨化程度高;碳纳米管中除碳元素外,管中包含有少量以纳米颗粒和纳米线形式存在的铁及其化合物,主要成分是铁和碳化铁。结合碳纳米管的制备和透射电子显微镜分析表征结果,认为超长碳纳米管阵列的生长模式为底部生长方式,即经历催化剂分解、催化、成核、长大、中毒、凝聚成粒和连接成线的循环过程,正是由于碳源和催化剂的连续供应促成了碳纳米管阵列的快速定向生长。     

The use of calcination in exposing the entrapped Fe particles from multi-walled carbon nanotubes grown by chemical vapour deposition

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized a by chemical vapour deposition method. The effect of calcination at temperatures ranging from 300 to 550°C in exposing the metal nanoparticles within the nanotube bundles was studied. The degree of degradation of the structural integrity of the MWCNTs during the thermal process was studied by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal behaviour of the as-prepared and calcined samples was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Calcination in air, at 400°C for 1 h, was found to be an efficient and simple method to extract metallic impurities from the amorphous carbon shells with minimal damage to the tube walls and lengths. The nanotubes were observed to be damaged at temperatures higher than 450°C.     

On the merits of Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis to asses carbon nanotube structural modifications

Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy are used to assess structural changes generated on the surface of multi-walled (MWCNTs) and single-walled (SWCNTs) carbon nanotubes. Different levels of structural modifications are generated by the use of acidic oxidative treatments. It is found that Raman spectroscopy is a very powerful technique to assess structural modification of SWCNTs with initial low defect concentration. For MWCNTs grown by chemical vapor deposition, which already contain a high density of structural defects in their as-produced state, Raman spectroscopy is not a very sensitive tool to detect the generation of further defects or other structural modifications introduced through acidic treatments. For this later case, TGA is a sensitive technique to assess structural modifications on the nanotubes.     

Efficient and facile one pot carboxylation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by using oxidation with ozone under mild conditions

In this study, oxidation of carbon nanotubes with ozone in the presence of hydrogen peroxide was investigated. The reaction was performed under clean and mild conditions and oxidized products with high concentration of oxygenated groups were yielded. The reaction products were characterized with attenuated total reflectance (ATR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), back titration, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the dispersion behavior of the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was also studied. The results confirmed the presence of high concentrations of oxidative groups on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) treated by the method of the present work.     

Metallic nanoparticles on plasma treated carbon nanotubes: Nanohybrids

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were decorated with metal clusters by thermal evaporation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the nature and extent of metal coverage can be varied by plasma treating the MWCNT surface. The metal clusters on oxygen plasma treated arc-discharge MWCNTs have a more dense distribution than the clusters evaporated on as-synthesized arc-discharge MWCNTs. In contrast, the plasma treatment did not affect the cluster distribution on CVD MWCNTs. Analyses of the valence band and the core levels by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggest poor charge transfer between gold clusters and MWCNTs; on the contrary suggest good charge transfer between Ni clusters and MWCNTs.