Preparation and photocatalytic ability of highly defective carbon nanotubes

The highly defective carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared using a heat-treatment technique and their photocatalytic ability was reported for the first time. The results showed that the highly defective CNTs had the photocatalytic ability in the range of visible light. The results also indicated that the electrical properties of CNTs were dependent not only on the diameter and helicity but also on the defect number of tubes. The defects of CNTs might be produced from vacancies, local lattice reordering and intertube reorientation during the course of the desorption of oxygen atoms, which could initiate defect states in the band gap. Absorption of visible light led to the formation of electron/hole pairs and hence caused photocatalytic oxidation. Consequently, the highly defective CNTs having the photocatalytic ability would be promising as a new photocatalytic material in the visible light.     

Synthesis of straight and helical carbon nanotubes from catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene

Straight and helical carbon nanotubes with diameter from 20 to 60 nm have been synthesized through catalytic decomposition of polyethylene in autoclave at 700 °C. The X-ray power diffraction pattern indicates that the products are hexagonal graphite, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images reveal the morphologies and structures of carbon nanotubes. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst and maleated polypropylene on the growth of the carbon nanotubes were also discussed, and the growth mechanism of the CNTs was proposed. Pyrolysis of polyethylene is a promising green chemical method for economically producing carbon nanotubes.     

Preparation of polymer nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties using hybrid of graphene and partially wrapped multi-wall carbon nanotube as nanofiller

Triblock copolymer of poly(p-dioxanone) and polyethylene glycol end-capped with pyrene moieties ((Py-PPDO)₂-b-PEG) was synthesized and used as modifier for multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Nano-aggregates ((Py-PPDO)₂-b-PEG@MWCNTs) with shish-kebab like partially wrapped morphology and very good stability were obtained by incorporating the copolymer with MWCNTs. The bare MWCNT sections of (Py-PPDO)₂-b-PEG@MWCNTs were able to induce π-π interactions with graphene (GE) and resulted in a novel GE/(Py-PPDO)₂-b-PEG@MWCNTs hybrid. The dispersity of GE in solution or polymer matrix was therefore greatly improved. The PCL nanocomposite films using GE/(Py-PPDO)₂-bPEG@MWCNTs as hybrid nanofiller exhibited obviously improved mechanical properties especially at very low hybrid nanofiller content. The influence of the nanofiller content and feed ratio of GE/MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of composites films was evaluated. When the feed ratio of GE to MWCNTs is 2:8 and the total loading of nanofiller is only 0.01 wt%, the tensile strength of the composite film increased by 163% and the elongation at break increased by 17% compared to those of neat PCL. These results can be attributed to fine dispersion of the nanofillers in PCL matrix and the hybrid interactions between GE and MWCNTs. Therefore, this work provides a novel method for preparing polymer nanocomposites with high mechanical performance and low nanofiller loading.     

Surface properties of fluorinated single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were fluorinated at several different temperatures. The change of atomic and electronic structures of fluorinated SWCNTs was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrical resistivity measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The amount of doped fluorine increases with increasing doping temperature, and the fluorine atoms are covalently attached to the side-wall of the SWCNTs. From Raman spectra and HRTEM study, the strong fluorination on the SWCNTs leads to the breaking of carbon–carbon bonds and the disintegration of tube structure. Several intermediate phases of fluorinated SWCNTs are observed during e-beam irradiation in HRTEM.     

Melt mixing of polycarbonate with multiwalled carbon nanotubes: microscopic studies on the state of dispersion

The focus of the paper is to investigate several issues related to the state of dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. A masterbatch of PC-MWNT (15 wt.%) was diluted with different amounts of PC in a small scale conical twin screw extruder (DACA Micro Compounder) to obtain different compositions of MWNT. In this system, electrical measurements indicated percolation of MWNT between 1.0 and 1.5 wt.%. We report TEM and AFM investigations of the state of dispersion of MWNT, in the entire volume of the matrix, in selected composites with compositions below (1 wt.% MWNT) and above the percolation threshold (2 and 5 wt.% MWNT). In addition, it was investigated if surface segregation of MWNT and flow induced orientation of nanotubes within the extruded strands had been occurred. It is found that the nanotubes dispersed uniformly through the matrix showing no significant agglomeration in the compositions studied. TEM micrographs seem to be able to detect the percolated structure of the carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, by comparing AFM micrographs from the core region and near to surface region no evidence of segregation or depletion of MWNT at the surface of the extruded strand was found. Comparison of TEM and AFM micrographs on surfaces cut along and perpendicular to the strand direction led to the conclusion that no preferred alignment had occurred as a result of extrusion. Aside from TEM technique, AFM is shown to be suitable to characterize the state of nanotube dispersion along with the issue of surface segregation and orientation of the nanotubes.     

The conversion of polyaniline nanotubes to nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes and their comparison with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes were prepared by the oxidation of aniline in solutions of acetic or succinic acid, and subsequently carbonized in a nitrogen atmosphere during thermogravimetric analysis running up to 830 °C. The nanotubular morphology of PANI was preserved after carbonization. The molecular structure of the original PANI and of the carbonized products has been analyzed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. Carbonized PANI nanotubes contained about 8 wt.% of nitrogen. The molecular structure, thermal stability, and morphology of carbonized PANI nanotubes were compared with the properties of commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes.     

Chemical catalytic vapor deposition (CCVD) synthesis of carbon nanotubes by decomposition of ethylene on metal (Ni, Co, Fe) nanoparticles

A simple method for producing unsupported nickel catalyst that can be used to synthesize multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) has been developed. The yield of purified MWNTs is about 1.8 g_mwnt/(g_cat×h).     

Preparation and application of surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate synthesized from single walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticlesEI北大核心CSCD

By hydrothermal synthesis, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) arranged on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) uniformly, and a SiO2/CNTs/AgNPs surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with composite open structure was prepared. The synthesized SiO2/CNTs/AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM. Using rhodamine 6G(R6G) as the probe molecule, the enhancement factor (EF) was 1.23×108, and the standard deviation was 2.31. Taking the phenol red, a common water pollutant, as the practical sample, the concentration of phenol red in the range of 1×10-4 -1×10-10 mol/L had a great exponential fitting relationship with its Raman signal intensity at 1153 cm-1 and 1441 cm-1, and the correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.99991. The substrate can realize the qualitative and quantitative detection of practical samples. © 2023, Youke Publishing Co.,Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes from ethylene in the presence of water vapor

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were synthesized catalytically from ethylene in the presence of water vapor at transition metals of the iron subgroup. The structure of the obtained nanotubes was studied by transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It was shown that the highest yields of carbon nanotubes with diameters between 20 and 40 nm, lengths of more than 1 μm, and average diameter of 0.92 nm for the innermost tube were obtained at a nickel catalyst with a water vapor concentration of 0.32%. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 227–230, July–August, 2006.     

Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated single-walled carbon nanotubes and their performance as solid acid catalyst

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were treated with sulfuric acid at 300 °C to synthesize sulfonated SWCNTs (s-SWCNTs), which were characterized by electron microscopy, infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermo analysis. Compared with activated carbon, more sulfonic acid groups can be introduced onto the surfaces of SWCNTs. The high degree (∼20 wt%) of surface sulfonation led to hydrophilic sidewalls that allows the SWCNTs to be uniformly dispersed in water and organic solvents. The high surface acidity of s-SWCNTs was demonstrated by NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption technique and tested by an acetic acid esterification reaction catalyzed by s-SWCNTs. The results show that the water-dispersive s-SWCNTs are an excellent solid acid catalyst and demonstrate the potential of SWCNTs in catalysis applications.     

Real-time assessment of carbon nanotube alignment in a polymer matrix under an applied electric field via polarized Raman spectroscopy

A technique has been developed utilizing polarized Raman spectroscopy to measure alignment of carbon nanotubes in situ in a polymer matrix under an applied electric field. Previous studies of alignment have been restricted to optically transparent solvents or polymerized specimens that prevent accurate analyses of alignment dynamics in polymers. The effects of electric field strength on the degree of alignment and the time to achieve an aligned state are discussed. The use of in situ, real-time polarized Raman spectroscopy provides a non-invasive technique for assessing carbon nanotube alignment, which can assist in determining processing conditions to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of aligned nanocomposites.     

Preparation of biomass N-doped carbon dots and detection of tioproninEI北大核心CSCD

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were prepared by one-step hydrothermal synthesis with pomegranate seeds as the carbon source and urea as the nitrogen source. Observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), average particle size of N-CDs was 20 nm. Observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), the thickness of N-CDs was 0. 6-1. 4 nm. Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of water-soluble functional groups such as amino groups on the surface of N-CDs. With the prepared N-CDs as the target fluorophore, Hg2 + can efficiently bind to the surface of N-CDs to form a complex, and achieve static quenching. The addition of tiopronin can bind the Hg2 + in the complex to make the Hg2 + detach from the surface of N-CDs and realize fluorescence recovery. The nano fluorescence switch constructed in this work is more accurate and sensitive than the traditional detection method. The optimum conditions were determined by optimizing the pH value, reaction time, the dosage of N-CDs and Hg2 +. The relative deviation (RSD) was 4. 7%, and the detection limit was 0. 2 μmol/L. The method was used to determine the content of tiopronin in human serum samples with the recoveries of 97. 2%-101. 3%. © 2022, Youke Publishing Co.,Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Aqueous dispersions of single-wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes with designed amphiphilic polycations

Poor solubility of single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NTs) in water and organic solvents presents a considerable challenge for their purification and applications. Macromolecules can be convenient solubilizing agents for NTs and a structural element of composite materials for them. Several block copolymers with different chemical functionalities of the side groups were tested for the preparation of aqueous NT dispersions. Poly(N-cetyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide-co-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide-co-4-vinylpyridine) was found to form exceptionally stable NT dispersions. It is suggested that the efficiency of macromolecular dispersion agents for NT solubilization correlates with the topological and electronic similarity of polymer-NT and NT-NT interactions in the nanotube bundles. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force and transmission electron microcopies data indicate that the polycations are wrapped around NTs forming a uniform coating 1.0-1.5 nm thick. The ability to wind around the NT originates in the hydrophobic attraction of the polymer backbone to the graphene surface and topological matching. Tetraalkylammonium functional groups in the side chains of the macromolecule create a cloud of positive charge around NTs, which makes them hydrophilic. The prepared dispersions could facilitate the processing of the nanotubes into composites with high nanotube loading for electronic materials and sensing. Positive charge on their surface is particularly important for biological and biomedical applications because it strengthens interactions with negatively charged cell membranes. A high degree of spontaneous bundle separation afforded by the polymer coating can also be beneficial for NT sorting.     

Preparation and electrocatalytic properties of gold nanoparticles loaded carbon nanotubes

Here, we report a new method of preparation of gold nanoparticles loaded carbon nanotubes (Au/CNTs) and the eleltrocatalystic properties of the obtained Au/CNTs as composite catalyst. This method shows advantages as it is easy to wash sodium citrate and the particle size of Au nanoparticles could by controlled by pH.     

Synthesis and characterization of pyrene bearing amphiphilic miktoarm star polymer and its noncovalent interactions with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A novel amphiphilic miktoarm star polymer, polystyrene‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(methyl methacrylate), bearing a pyrene group at the end of PS arm (Pyrene‐PS‐PEG‐PMMA) was successfully synthesized via combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and click chemistry. The structure and composition of the amphiphilic miktoarm star polymer were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and ¹H NMR. The functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via “π–π” stacking interactions with pyrene‐PS‐PEG‐PMMA miktoarm star polymer was accomplished and the resulting polymer‐MWCNTs hybrid was analyzed by using ¹H NMR, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and analytical techniques aforementioned confirmed that the noncovalent functionalization of MWCNT's with the amphiphilic miktoarm star polymer was successfully achieved. The MWCNT/pyrene‐PS‐PEG‐PMMA exhibited significant dispersion stability in common organic solvents such as dimethyl formamide, chloroform, and tetrahydrofuran. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

全氟磺酸功能化碳纳米管的制备及其催化性能

采用全氟磺酸-全氟乙烯共聚物的液相沉积方法制备了全氟磺酸功能化碳纳米管催化剂,利用N2吸附、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、傅里叶变换红外光谱以及酸碱滴定等方法对材料的结构和酸性进行了表征,考察了温度和溶剂对催化剂稳定性的影响.结果表明,催化剂在极性和非极性溶液中均十分稳定,并且具有良好的热稳定性,使用温度可达300°C.该催化剂在对苯二酚与叔丁醇的烷基化反应中表现出优异的催化性能,其催化活性与稳定性均高于聚苯乙烯磺酸功能化的碳纳米管催化剂.     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrical properties of polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites

Size‐controllable polypyrrole (PPy)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites have been synthesized by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization directed by various concentrations of cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Raman spectra, FTIR, SEM, and TEM were used to characterize their structure and morphology. These results showed that the composites are core (MWCNT)–shell (PPy) tubular structures with the thickness of the PPy layer in the range of 20–40 nm, depending on the concentration of CTAB. Raman and FTIR spectra of the composites are almost identical to those of PPy alone. The electrical conductivities of these composites are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of PPy without MWCNTs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6449–6457, 2006     

Different methods of preparing electrode from single-wall carbon nanotubes and their effect on the Li ion insertion process

Single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) is processed in three different ways: (1) coating a film out of a slurry of SWNT with poly (vinilydene difluoride) (PVDF) binder on to a Cu substrate, (2) evaporating SWNT dispersion in methanol on to a Cu substrate, and (3) transferring a film on to a Cu substrate from the water–ethanol interface, to prepare the working electrode for studying the Li ion insertion process. The use of binder enhances irreversible capacity restricting the Coulomb efficiency to only 18% in the initial cycle. The electrode prepared by deposition of SWNT powder from a dispersion of methanol on the Cu substrate gives the best reversible capacity of 445 mA h g⁻¹ and Coulomb efficiency of 25% in the initial cycle. Use of the PVDF binder favors the formation of thicker solid electrolyte interface, which counts the large irreversible capacity.     

Thermal behaviors of polyimide with plasma-modified carbon nanotubes

A series of plasma-modified carbon nanotubes with maleic anhydride (mCNT) based on polyimide (mCNT/PI) nanocomposites were prepared by a two-step method. The mCNT/PI nanocomposites exhibit excellent thermal properties owing to mCNT and its good dispersion in the polyimide matrix. The TEM patterns were proved to show dispersed behavior of mCNT in the PI matrix. By using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermogravimetric with infrared spectra (TGA-IR), we discuss the kinetic behavior during the degradation of nanocomposites. Then Ozawa and Kissinger's theorems were calculated based on the relationship between activation energy and mCNT content.     

Electron spin resonance on carbon nanotubes–polymer composites

Electron spin resonance investigations on styrene–polyisoprene–polystyrene block copolymer loaded with various amounts of multiwalled carbon nanotubes are reported. The temperature dependence of resonance line parameters in the range 290–425 K was analyzed. It was proved that the main resonance line represents a bottleneck of localized and delocalized electrons residing on carbon nanotubes. The temperature dependence of the g-factor and double integral of resonance spectra confirmed this interpretation. The temperature dependence of the resonance linewidth of composites containing various concentrations of nanotubes was explained by the thermally activated narrowing of the resonance spectra. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3406–3412, 2005