In situ optical spectroelectrochemistry of single-walled carbon nanotube thin films

A detailed study is presented on the optical absorption of thin films of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) under electrochemical conditions. The procedure for the preparation of free-standing semitransparent films of SWNT is used for the fabrication of a working electrode for transmission optical spectroelectrochemistry. The analysis of the potential dependent spectroscopic response of the SWNT film benefits from the widest possible electrochemical window, in which the charging of SWNT can safely be investigated. This electrochemical window is not limited by parasitic electrochemistry and/or galvanic breakdown reactions occurring at supporting electrode materials such as indium–tin oxide conducting glass or semitransparent Pt film, which were employed in earlier studies. Electrochemical doping of SWNT is observable at the optical absorptions, which are assigned to allowed electronic transitions between van Hove singularities in the density of states of SWNT. Furthermore, the spectral response of counterions, balancing the charging of the nanotube skeleton, is traceable at certain conditions. The latter effect is monitored here through the overtones of C–H stretching vibrations from tetrabutylammonium cations.     

Elastic modulus of single-walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Dynamic mechanical analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis experiments were performed on pure poly(methyl methacrylate) and on in situ polymerized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/PMMA nanocomposites. The addition of less than 0.1 wt % SWNT to PMMA led to an increase in the low-temperature elastic modulus of approximately 10% beyond that of pure PMMA. The glass-transition temperature and the elastic modulus at higher temperatures of the nanocomposites remained unchanged from those of pure PMMA. These changes were associated with excessive cohesive interactions between the large-surface area nanotubes and PMMA and were not due to changes in the microstructural features of the polymer during synthesis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2286–2293, 2004     

Near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy of single-walled carbon nanotubes and its applications

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) emit fluorescence at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths that are characteristic of the specific diameter and the chiral angle. While providing a convenient method for structural identification of semiconducting SWCNTs, NIR fluorescence of SWCNTs also offers a powerful approach for sensor development and in vivo or real-time imaging of biological systems.This article provides an introductory overview of the approaches to obtaining individually dispersed semiconducting SWCNTs with reasonably good purity, which is a critical step in acquiring NIR fluorescence spectra. It also summarizes the progress since 2002 in sensor design and applications in bioimaging in vitro and in vivo using NIR fluorescence of semiconducting SWCNTs.     

Evidence for covalent binding of epicocconone with proteins from synchronous fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetimes

Synchronous fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic studies that reveal the interaction of epicocconone with human serum albumin is significantly different from its interaction with surfactant assemblies. This observation, along with steady-state fluorescence data, indicates ground-state interaction between the fluorophore epicocconone and the protein. Similarity in fluorescence properties with the adduct of the fluorophore with n-butylamine indicates that bonding occurs at the N-terminus of the protein.     

Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase on the carbon nanotube electrode

The direct electrochemistry of redox enzymes (or proteins) has received more and more attention[1—9]. These studies developed an electrochemical basis for the investigation of enzyme structure, mechanisms of redox transformations of enzyme molecules and metabolic processes involving redox transformations. From these studies, one can also find potential appli-cations of enzymes in biotechnology. For example, if an enzyme immobilized on electrode surface is ca-pable of the direct electron tra…     

Characteristics of the Raman spectra of single-walled carbon nanotube bundles under electrochemical potential control

Resonant Raman scattering spectra of single-walled carbon nanotube–sodium dodecyl sulfate (SWNT–SDS) bundles adsorbed on Au electrodes have been investigated in aqueous electrolytes. Raman intensities of the radial breathing mode (RBM) with 785-nm laser excitation were monitored at different electrode potentials between −0.5 and +0.8 V relative to the SCE. Six resolved RBM peaks assignable to different diameter tubes all decreased in intensity when the electrode was positively biased, because of depletion of valence-band electrons associated with resonant excitation. The attenuation occurred at more positive potentials for narrower-diameter tubes with higher RBM frequencies consistent with their larger bandgaps. The results suggest the Fermi level is equilibrated in bundled SWNTs in contrast with the large Fermi-level shifts reported for isolated SWNTs.     

Assembly of layer-by-layer films of heme proteins and single-walled carbon nanotubes: electrochemistry and electrocatalysis

After being treated by mixed acids, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were shortened and had negatively charged groups on the surface. Positively charged hemoglobin or myoglobin at pH 5.0 was successfully assembled with SWNTs into layer-by-layer films on solid surfaces, designated as {SWNT/protein} _n . While only those proteins in the first few bilayers closest to the electrode surface exhibited electroactivity, the {SWNT/protein} _n films demonstrated a much higher fraction of electroactive proteins and better controllability in film construction compared with cast films of the proteins and carbon nanotubes. The proteins in the {SWNT/protein} _n films retained their near-native structure at medium pH. The stable protein film electrode showed good electrocatalytic properties toward reduction of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating the potential application of the {SWNT/protein} _n films as a new type of biosensor based on the direct electrochemistry of proteins without using mediators. Figure Cyclic voltammograms at 0.2 V s⁻¹ in pH 7.0 buffers with different number of bilayers (n) for layer-by-layer {single-walled carbon nanotube/hemoglobin} _n films.     

The nitrogen edge-doped effect on the static first hyperpolarizability of the supershort single-walled carbon nanotube

The nitrogen edge-doped effect on the structure, dipole moment, and first hyperpolarizability of the supershort single-walled carbon nanotube (5, 0) has been studied systematically. For the nitrogen edge-doped effect on the structure, the mean diameter on the nitrogen-doped side (D(u)) decreases as the number of doped-nitrogen (n) increases (4.044 (1) > 3.991 (2) > 3.941 (3) > 3.891 (4) > 3.844 A (5)). Significantly, the nitrogen edge-doped effects on the dipole moment and first hyperpolarizability are revealed for the first time and these new effects are dramatic for the supershort single-walled carbon nanotube (5, 0). Among the beta(0) values of these seven nitrogen-doped structures, the largest beta(0) (3155 au) is larger by almost 450 times than the very small beta(0) (7 au) of undoped structure (D(5h)). For nitrogen-doped structures, the order of the beta(0) values is 3155 (1) > 2677 (2A) approximately 2817 (2B) > 1465 (3A) approximately 1458 (3B) > 670 (4) > 254 au (5), which shows two interesting relationships between the beta(0) value and nitrogen-doped number: (1) the smaller the nitrogen-doped number, the larger the beta(0) value. (2) The structures with the same number of doped-nitrogen have almost the same beta(0) values (1465 for 3A and 1458 au for 3B). As for the frequency-dependent beta (-omega; omega, 0) and beta (-2omega; omega, omega), the dependence on the nitrogen-doped number (n) is similar to the case of static beta(0). For beta (-2omega; omega, omega) values at omega = 0.005 au are 3220 (1) > 2720 (2A) approximately = 2862 (2B) > 1480 (3A) approximately = 1477 (3B) > 676 (4) > 256 au (5). In addition, the important monotonic dependences of the beta value on the D(u) and electronic spatial extent are also observed. The new knowledge of influence the beta value will be beneficial to design high-performance nonlinear optical (NLO) materials.     

Magnetorheology of soft magnetic carbonyl iron suspension with single-walled carbon nanotube additive and its yield stress scaling function

The serious dispersion problem of carbonyl iron (CI) based magnetorheological (MR) fluid, due to the large density mismatch between CI particles and continuous medium, has hampered its MR applications. To resolve this undesirable sedimentation, we introduced fibrous single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) into CI suspension as additives. The dynamic yield stress change measured as a function of magnetic field strength was examined by adopting a universal equation which was originally applied for electrorheological (ER) fluids. In addition, the viscoelastic performances of CI/SWNT suspension were compared to investigate the influence of additives on the pristine CI suspension. The sedimentation ratio was also examined to confirm the role of submicron SWNT bundles.     

Direct electrolytic exfoliation of graphite with hemin and single-walled carbon nanotube: Creating functional hybrid nanomaterial for hydrogen peroxide detection

We present a new, facile and efficient method to prepare functional graphene (GN) hybrid nanomaterials using direct electrolytic exfoliation of graphite robs in hemin (HN) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) solution. During the exfoliation process, HN and SWCNT were simultaneously adsorbed on the surface of GN nanosheets through noncovalent π–π interaction, and then 3D GN–HN–SWCNT hybrid nanomaterials were formed. Due to the synergic effect among GN, HN, and SWCNT, these hybrid nanomaterials possessed excellent electrocatalysis properties and were used to construct novel electrochemical biosensor for H₂O₂ determination. The results displayed a wide linear range of 0.2 μM–0.4 mM and a low detection limit of 0.05 μM. Moreover, the developed sensor was successfully applied for real samples, such as beverages, and showed great promise in routine sensing applications.     

Quantitative determination of oxidized carbon nanotube probes in yeast by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Short oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes were functionalized with fluorescein isothiocyanate to form carbon nanotube probes (CNTP). The distribution of CNTP in yeast was quantitatively determined by capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The detection sensitivity for CNTP was greatly improved comparing with UV absorbance and Raman detection. The time- and temperature-dependent influx patterns of CNTP into yeast were obtained. The apparent permeability coefficient for influx of CNTP into yeast was calculated, which suggested that CNTP might permeate into yeast through endocytosis. This study implies that CNTP could be a fine drug transporter and might be wildly used in multidrug resistance research and microorganism detection.     

Fibroin-functionalized magnetic carbon nanotube as a green support for anchoring silver nanoparticles as a biocatalyst for A3 coupling reaction

Novel and powerful fibroin-functionalized magnetic carbon nanotube–supported silver nanoparticles (CNT–Fe₃O₄–fibroin–Ag) were successfully synthesized as a nontoxic and inexpensive biocatalyst. The structure of the organic–inorganic hybrid bionanocomposite was characterized by various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Then, the catalytic activity of synthesized bionanocomposite was evaluated in the three-component A³ coupling reaction under solvent-free conditions with good to excellent yields. Several propargylamine derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of different aldehydes with amines and phenylacetylene. Biodegradability, biocompatibility, availability, easy synthesis, high stability, high-throughput, cost-effectiveness, and efficient magnetic separation are some advantages of this catalyst that make it economically justified and sustainable. Moreover, the catalyst can be recycled for several runs without appreciable loss in its catalytic activity.     

Electrochemical determination of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine using a carbon nanotube modified electrode

In this work, a multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) film-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed for the determination of 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The electrochemical behaviors of 8-OHdG were examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), suggesting that MWNT film facilitates the electron transfer of 8-OHdG and then significantly enhances the oxidation peak current of 8-OHdG. Finally, a sensitive and simple electrochemical method with a good linear relationship in the range of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ ∼ 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol 1⁻¹, was developed for the determination of 8-OHdG. The detection limit is 9.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol 1⁻¹ for 6-min accumulation. This newly-proposed method was successfully used to detect 8-OHdG in urine samples. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 351–356. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Effects of multiwalled carbon nanotube on holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal

The morphology and electro‐optical performance of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) were investigated with the addition of multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT), both pristine and chemically modified one (CNT‐C?C). With the addition of CNT, the diffraction efficiency increased and showed a maximum at 0.6% while nucleation was delayed due to the increased mixture viscosity. Film was driven only with CNT due to the induced local electric field of polymer to overcome the threshold resistance. Among the two types of CNT, chemically modified one gave finer CNT dispersion, lower mixture viscosity, larger liquid crystal (LC) droplet, higher diffraction efficiency, and shorter response time while the pristine CNT decreased the driving voltage. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly selective synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes from methane in a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor

For the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from CH₄ over a Fe/MgO catalyst, we proposed a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed (TFB) reactor to enhance the selectivity and yield (or production rate) of SWCNTs. By controlling a very short catalyst residence time (1–3 s) in the Downer, only part of Fe oxides can be reduced to form Fe nano particles (NPs) available for the growth of SWCNTs. The percentage of unreduced Fe oxides increased and the yield of SWCNTs decreased accordingly with the increase of catalyst feeding rate in Downer. SWCNTs were preferentially grown on the catalyst surface and inhibited the sintering of the Fe crystallites which would be formed thereafter in the downstream TFB, evidenced by TEM, Raman and TGA. The coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor technology allowed higher selectivity and higher production rate of SWCNTs as compared to TFB alone.     

羟胺在碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极上的电催化还原及电化学动力学性质研究

研究了羟胺在碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极(CNT/GC)上的电化学行为。研究结果表明,碳纳米管对羟胺的电化学行为有良好的电催化作用,在-0.62 V有一还原峰,是羟胺获得2个电子还原为铵所形成,同时测定了该电化学过程的动力学参数:电子转移数n为2,电子转移系数α为0.287,电极反应速率常数k为1.35×10-3cm/s。     

Synthesis and field emission properties of carbon nanotube films modified with amorphous carbon nanoparticles by a simple electrodeposition method

Amorphous carbon nanoparticles （a-CNPs） on a multi-walled carbon nanotube （MWCNT） film, deposited on a silicon substrate, were synthesized using an electrodeposition combination from a methanol suspension of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride-modified MWCNTs. A low-voltage electropho- retic deposition of the MWCNTs and a high-voltage electrochemical deposition of the a-CNPs were carried out to yield homogenously attached a-CNPs on the surfaces of the MWCNTs, and form a composite film with good adhesion to the substrate. This scalable technology can produce a large area of a-CNP/MWCNT film. And the field emission investigations show that the a-CNP/MWCNT film has turn- on electric field of 3.17 V μm- 1 （at 10 μA cm-2） and threshold field of 4.62 V μm-1 （at 1 mA cm-2）, which are lower than those of the MWCNT film. The a-CNP/MWCNT film can be deposited simply with large areas and may be a promising cathode material applied in field emission displays.