Anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy as a method to identify the metallic and semiconducting configurations of double‐walled carbon nanotubes

Although Raman spectra reveal, as a signature of double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), two radial breathing mode (RBM) lines associated with the inner and outer tubes, the specification of their nature as metallic or semiconducting remains a topic for debate. Investigating the spectral range of the RBM lines, we present a new procedure of the indexing of the semiconducting or metallic nature of the inner and outer shell that forms the DWCNT. The procedure exploits the difference between the intensities of recorded anti‐Stokes Raman spectrum and the anti‐Stokes spectrum calculated by applying the Boltzmann formulae to the recorded Stokes spectrum. The results indicate that the two spectra do not coincide with what should happen in a normal Raman process, namely, that there are RBM lines of the same intensity in both spectra, as well as RBM lines of higher intensity that are observed in the calculated spectrum. This discrepancy results from the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering mechanism that operates differently on metallic or semiconducting nanotubes. In this context, the analysis of the RBM spectrum can reveal pairs of lines associated with the inner/outer shell structure of DWCNT, and when the intensities between the recorded and calculated spectra coincide, the nanotube is metallic; otherwise, the nanotube is semiconducting. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同激发波长下单壁碳纳米管与多壁碳纳米管的拉曼光谱比较

对不同激发波长下单壁和多壁碳纳米管的激光拉曼光谱进行了比较。发现单壁碳纳米管D峰强度和G峰强度的比值(ID/IG)几乎不随激发光子能量的改变而变化,多壁碳纳米管ID/IG值随着激发光子能量的增加以斜率0 3/eV减小。并对此现象进行了初步的分析。此外,还发现在1064nm激发波长下,单壁和多壁碳纳米管2500-3500cm-1之间拉曼峰的相对强度随着入射激光功率的增加而增加。     

Changes in the vibrational modes of carbon nanotubes induced by electron‐beam irradiation: resonance Raman spectroscopy

Influence of electron‐beam (e‐beam) irradiation on multi‐walled (MW) and single‐walled (SW) carbon nanotube films grown by microwave chemical vapor deposition technique is investigated. These films were subjected to an e‐beam energy of 50 keV from a scanning electron microscope for 2.5, 5.5, 8.0, and 15 h, and to 100 and 200 keV from a transmission electron microscope for a few minutes to ∼2 h continuously. Such conditions resemble an increased temperature and pressure regime enabling a degree of structural fluidity. To assess structural modifications, they were analyzed prior to and after irradiation using resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) in addition to in situ monitoring by electron microscopy. The experiments showed that with extended exposures, both types of nanotubes displayed various local structural instabilities including pinching, graphitization/amorphization, and formation of an intramolecular junction (IMJ) within the area of electron beam focus possibly through amorphous carbon aggregates. RRS revealed that irradiation generated defects in the lattice as quantified through (1) variation of the intensity of radial breathing mode (RBM), (2) intensity ratio of D to G band (I_D/I_G), and (3) positions of the D and G bands and their harmonics (D* and G*) and combination bands (D + G). The increase in the defect‐induced D band intensity, quenching of RBM intensity, and only a slight increase in G band intensity are some of the implications. The MW nanotubes tend to reach a state of saturation for prolonged exposures, while the SW ones transform from a semiconducting to a quasi‐metallic character. Softening of the q = 0 selection rule is suggested as a possible reason to explain these results. Furthermore, these studies provide a contrasting comparison between MW and SW nanotubes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of purification on the diameter separation of metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes by gel column chromatography

Metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes (m‐SWCNTs) with excellent conductivity and transparency are considered to be eminent electrode materials. However, it still remains a challenge to separate m‐SWCNTs by their diameters. As reported in this Letter, by effective purification treatment of SWCNTs, we succeeded in achieving diameter separation of m‐SWCNTs using gel column chromatography. TEM and Raman characterizations revealed that metal catalysts and amorphous carbon on tube surfaces were largely reduced, which contributed to the diameter separation of m‐SWCNTs.

     

Transparent and flexible field emission display device based on single‐walled carbon nanotubes

A fully transparent and flexible field emission device (FED) has been demonstrated. Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) coated on arylite substrate were used as electron emitters for the FED and a novel metavanadate phosphor coated on the SWCNTs/arylite film was used as transparent and flexible screen. The SWCNTs/arylite based emitters and the SWCNTs/arylite/metal‐vanadate‐based phosphor showed a transmittance value of 92.6% and 54%, respectively. The assembled device also showed satisfactory transparency and flexibility as well as producing significant current. Metavanadate phosphor is considered to be an excellent candidate due to its superior luminescence properties and easy fabrication onto transparent and flexible conductive substrate at room temperature while retaining reasonable transparency of the substrate. Thus, its transparency and flexibility will open the door to next‐generation FEDs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrochemical properties of imidazole derivatives functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes

The imidazole derivatives functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized by a diazonium‐based reaction. We have designed and synthesized two imidazole derivatives to modify SWNTs. The resulting products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electrochemical measurements via a cyclic voltammetry method revealed that the weak intramolecular electronic interactions presented between the attached imidazole derivatives groups and the nanotubes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the possible interlinked structures in single‐wall carbon nanotubes under pressure by Raman spectroscopy

High‐pressure Raman measurements on single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been carried out in a diamond anvil cell by using two wavelength lasers: 830 and 514.5 nm. Irrespective of using a pressure transmitting medium (PTM) or not, we found that nanotubes undergo similar transformations under pressure. The pressure‐induced changes in Raman signals at around 2 and 5 GPa are attributed to the nanotube cross‐section transitions from circle to ellipse and then to a flattened shape, respectively. Especially with pressure increasing up to 15–17 GPa, we observed that the third transition takes place in both the Raman wavenumber and the linewidth of G‐band. We propose explanations that the interlinked configuration with sp³ bonds forms in the bundles of SWNTs under pressure, which was the cause for the occurrence of those Raman anomalies, similar to the structural‐phase transition of graphite above 14 GPa. Our TEM observations and Raman measurements on the decompressed samples support this transition picture. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An XANES study on the modification of single‐walled carbon nanotubes by nitric acid

X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy has been applied to identify the modification process of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) treated by nitric acid. The carboxyl groups created by the nitric acid treatment have been found to be formed on both the carbonaceous fragments and the side walls of SWCNTs. The carbonaceous fragments could be removed by a following washing treatment with sodium hydroxide. XANES spectra indicate that carbonaceous fragments are the result of the synthesis process and/or of the nitric acid treatment. Tube walls of SWCNTs are weakly oxidized by the nitric acid treatment although, after removing carbonaceous fragments, a direct oxidation process of SWCNTs is observed. Experimental data address the removal of carbonaceous fragments on SWCNTs as an efficient method for side‐wall modification of a SWCNT.     

Evaluation of crystalline perfection degree of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes: correlations between thermal kinetic analysis and micro‐Raman spectroscopy

Commercially available and laboratory‐prepared multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are systematically investigated by the use of micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and complementary techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) with the aim of establishing a standardised post‐growth diagnostic protocol for the assessment of their overall crystalline quality. By studying a set of ‘reference’ samples, clear correlations are evidenced between the Raman graphitisation indexes (D/G, G′/G and G′/D intensity ratios) commonly adopted to describe the crystalline arrangement of nanotubes, and their reactivity towards oxygen, as measured by the apparent activation energy needed for their oxidation, inferred from the kinetic analysis in quasi‐isothermal conditions. The higher the crystalline perfection degree, the higher the energy needed for oxidising them. The efficacy of the found correlations in indirectly assessing the reactivity of nanotubes prepared under different conditions is successfully demonstrated by the use of a second set of samples. The physical meaning and range of validity of the shown correlations are further discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman G‐mode of single‐wall carbon nanotube bundles under pressure

Raman studies of nanotubes under pressure have been a lively area of research. However, the results are not always as expected and at times have not been adequately explained. One example of the diversity of the results is the higher energy Raman mode (the graphitic mode, GM) shift to higher wavenumber under pressure. Here we report a new high‐pressure Raman study showing that the effects of the variation in the tube diameters and the pressure transmitting medium are both crucial for understanding the outcomes of such high‐pressure experiments. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical functionalisation of SWNTs with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) evidenced by anti‐Stokes/Stokes Raman spectroscopy

The capability of anti‐Stokes/Stokes Raman spectroscopy to evaluate chemical interactions at the interface of a conducting polymer/carbon nanotubes is demonstrated. Electrochemical polymerisation of the monomer 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) on a Au support covered with a single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) film immersed in a LiClO₄/CH₃CN solution was carried out. At the resonant optical excitation, which occurs when the energy of the exciting light coincides with the energy of an electronic transition, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) deposited electrochemically as a thin film of nanometric thickness on a rough Au support presents an abnormally intense anti‐Stokes Raman spectrum. The additional increase in Raman intensity in the anti‐Stokes branch observed when PEDOT is deposited on SWNTs is interpreted as resulting from the excitation of plasmons in the metallic nanotubes. A covalent functionalisation of SWNTs with PEDOT both in un‐doped and doped states takes place when the electropolymerisation of EDOT, with stopping at +1.6 V versus Ag/Ag⁺, is performed on a SWNT film deposited on a Au plate. The presence of PEDOT covalently functionalised SWNTs is rationalised by (1) a downshift by a few wavenumbers of the polymer Raman line associated with the symmetric C C stretching mode and (2) an upshift of the radial breathing modes of SWNTs, both variations revealing an interaction between SWNTs and the conjugated polymer. Raman studies performed at different excitation wavelengths indicate that the resonant optical excitation is the key condition to observe the abnormal anti‐Stokes Raman effect. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterisation of carbonaceous materials using Raman spectroscopy: a comparison of carbon nanotube filters,single‐ and multi‐walled nanotubes,graphitised porous carbon and graphite

Multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) filters have been recently synthesised which have specific molecular filtering capabilities and good mechanical strength. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals the formation of highly aligned arrays of bundles of carbon nanotubes having lengths up to 500 µm. The Raman spectra of this material along with four other carbonaceous materials, commercially available single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and MWCNTs, graphitised porous carbon (Carbotrap) and graphite have been recorded using two‐excitation wavelengths, 532 and 785 nm, and analysed for band positions and shape with special emphasis paid to the D‐, G‐ and G′‐bands. A major difference between the different MWCNT varieties analysed is that G‐bands in the MWCNT filters exhibit almost no dispersion, whereas the other MWCNTs show a noticeable dispersive behaviour with a change in the excitation wavelength. Spectral features similar to those of the MWCNT filter varieties were observed for the Carbotrap material. From the line shape analysis, the intensity ratio, I_D/I_G, of the more ordered MWCNT filter material using the integral G‐band turns out to be two times lower than that of the less ordered MWCNT filter product at both excitation wavelengths. This parameter can, therefore, be used as a measure of the degree of MWCNT alignment in filter varieties, which is well supported also by our SEM study. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plasmon‐enhanced Raman scattering by suspended carbon nanotubes

We report plasmon‐enhanced Raman scattering of the order of 10³ by a metallic carbon nanotube partially suspended inside a near‐field cavity. The tube is part of a small bundle, and is interfaced with an Au nanodisc dimer using a recently developed assembly scheme based on dielectrophoretic deposition. Spatially resolved Raman measurements with two excitation wavelengths and two orthogonal polarizations confirm that the enhancement arises from a 65 nm long suspended tube segment. We show that the orientation of the tube inside the cavity can be as effective for generating enhancement as placing the nanotube precisely in a plasmonic hotspot. Position and shape of the G‐peak show that the suspended part of the tube is free of strain and doped with a Fermi energy shift ≤40 meV. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of pyridine‐functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted great attention for their potential use in many applications because of their intrinsic properties. The importance other than the impact of the application of CNT‐embedded membranes in the area of water technology development is immense. In this context, the identification and quantification of CNTs in aqueous resources during relevant water purification processes can be proven of high significance. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) potentially has the sensitivity required for trace analysis and has been previously used for CNT identification on solid substrates. A thorough study for the identification and quantification of small concentrations of multi‐walled CNTs (MWCNTs) in water suspensions via SERS has been performed. The functionalization of MWCNTs with pyridine groups seems to favor the surface enhancement of relevant Raman signal. This study constitutes the first step of a work in progress for the characterization of CNTs at quite low concentration range by SERS in any water suspension. It is based on an ex ante functionalization of the CNTs by pyridine, demonstrating the potential of the method. Our long‐term aim is its general application built, however, in an ex post relevant functionalization of the CNTs in any aqueous solution. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature‐dependent magneto‐photoluminescence spectroscopy of carbon nanotubes: evidence for dark excitons

We review recent experimental and theoretical studies on the radiative properties of excitons in single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as a function of magnetic field and temperature. These studies not only provide new insight into the fundamental properties of excitons in the ultimate one‐dimensional (1D) limit but also reveal new phenomena associated with the unique crystal and electronic structure of SWNTs. During the past several years, SWNTs have emerged as one of the most ideal systems available for the systematic study of 1D excitons, which are predicted to possess a set of properties that are distinctly different from excitons in higher dimensions. In addition, their tubular nature allows them to exhibit non‐intuitive quantum phenomena when subjected to a parallel magnetic field, which breaks time reversal symmetry and adds an Aharonov‐Bohm phase to the electronic wavefunction. In particular, a series of recent experiments demonstrate that such a symmetry‐breaking magnetic field can dramatically “brighten” an optically‐inactive, or dark, exciton state at low temperature (see the title figure on the right). We show that this phenomenon, magnetic brightening, can be understood as a consequence of interplay between the strong intervalley Coulomb mixing and field‐induced lifting of valley degeneracy. Detailed temperature‐dependent photoluminescence studies of excitons in SWNTs in a varying magnetic field have thus provided one of the most critical tests for recently proposed theories of 1D excitons taking into account the strong 1D Coulomb interactions and unique band structure on an equal footing. Furthermore, results of these studies suggest the intriguing possibility of manipulating the optical properties of SWNTs by judicious symmetry control, which can lead to novel devices and applications in lasers and optoelectronics.     

Raman‐induced Kerr effect spectroscopy of single‐wall carbon nanotubes aqueous suspensions in the range 0.1–10 and 100–250 cm−1

Here, we study a low (less than 0.1 µg/ml) concentration aqueous suspension of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by Raman‐induced Kerr effect spectroscopy (RIKES) in the spectral bands 0.1–10 and 100–250 cm⁻¹. This method is capable of carrying out direct investigation of SWNT hydration layers. A comparison of RIKES spectra of SWNT aqueous suspension and that of milli‐Q water shows a considerable growth in the intensity of low wavenumber Raman modes. These modes in the 0.1–10 cm⁻¹ range are attributed to the rotational transitions of H₂O₂ and H₂O molecules. We explain the observed intensity increase as due to the production of hydrogen peroxide and the formation of a low‐density depletion layer on the water–nanotube interface. A few SWNT radial breathing modes (RBM)are observed (ω_RBM = 118.5, 164.7 and 233.5 cm⁻¹) in aqueous suspension, which allows us to estimate the SWNT diameters (∼2.0, 1.5, and 1 nm, respectively). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature dependence of the raman spectra of carbon nanotubes with 1064 nm excitation

In this report, the near infrared 1064 nm line of an Nd:YAG laser, which has strong thermal effect, was used as the excitation. A temperature dependence of the Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes was observed at different temperatures by varying the incident laser power. The results show that the relative Raman intensities to the tangential stretching mode (G mode) of the higher-order Raman modes within 2500–3500 cm⁻¹ increase with increasing excitation laser power at the sample and the changes in the relative Raman intensities are linear in the excitation laser power. This has not been reported elsewhere. Thorough analysis shows that this is a temperature dependence of double-phonon Raman scattering and maybe provide important information for the studying of CNTs and double-phonon Raman scattering.     

General criterion to discern between coherent and incoherent synthesis of broadband coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectra

Recently, the ordinary qualitative criterion on how to distinguish between coherent and incoherent convolutions of broadband coherent anti‐Stokes Raman (CARS) signals generated by degenerate pump lasers has been revised in view of a quantitative analysis. The revision has established that incoherent CARS approach can be justified as unitary limit of the function ] erfc(Γ/σ₁)/σ₁, where Γ and σ₁ are respectively the spectral widths of the Raman line and the degenerate pump lasers. The result was, however, limited to nonoverlapping Raman lines. In this work, the extension to a more common situation of closely spaced Raman transitions is considered. For large overlap between adjacent Raman lines, the new analysis suggests significant deviations from the previous result. Weak line mixing is also taken into consideration. Nonetheless, all types of deviations are characterized by a common tendency toward the incoherent limit. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of sulphuric–nitric acid mixture composition on surface chemistry and structural evolution of liquid‐phase oxidised carbon nanotubes

Liquid phase functionalisation of carbon nanotubes is carried out via a H₂SO₄ + HNO₃ mixture, and the effect of the sulphuric to nitric acid volume ratio (1:3–3:1) is systematically investigated by means of complementary techniques, observing the expected progressive downgrade of the crystalline quality, along with the increase of oxygenated functionality concentration. In addition, in contrast with common expectations, the results obtained demonstrate that the concentration of carboxylic groups (acids and anhydrides) never exceeds that of all other functionalities (lactones, phenols, quinones/carbonyls and sulphonic groups) introduced by chemical oxidation. Only by using equal volumes of sulphuric and nitric acids the concentrations of carboxylic and non‐carboxylic groups become comparable. Raman analysis reveals that a change in the sample homogeneity accompanies the variations of the relative proportions of the various oxygenated groups, by the typology of which the vibration modes of carbon pairs and carbon rings appear to be affected to different extents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.