Redox reaction of p-aminophenol at carbon nanotube electrodes is accelerated by carbonaceous impurities

We show here that the enhanced electrochemical behaviour of carbon nanotubes towards the redox reactions of p-aminophenol does not stem from the innate properties of carbon nanotubes. Investigating the isolated effect of each component present within carbon nanotubes samples, which are the carbon nanotube, the graphitic and amorphous carbonaceous impurities and the metallic impurities, we have elucidated that solely the carbonaceous impurities, both graphitic and amorphous, significantly accelerate the electron transfer reaction of p-aminophenol at carbon nanotube surfaces.     

Selective placement of carbon nanotubes on metal-oxide surfaces

We describe a method to selectively position carbon nanotubes on Al2O3 and HfO2 surfaces. The method exploits the selective binding of alkylphosphonic acids to oxide surfaces with large isoelectric points (i.e. basic rather than acidic surfaces). We have patterned oxide surfaces with acids using both microcontact printing and conventional lithography. With proper choice of the functional end group (e.g., -CH3 or -NH2), nanotube adhesion to the surface can be either prevented or enhanced.     

Asymmetric end-functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Asymmetric end-functionalization of carbon nanotubes was achieved by sequentially floating a substrate-free aligned carbon nanotube film on two different photoreactive solutions with only one side of the nanotube film being contacted with the photoreactive solution and exposed to UV light each time. The resultant nanotubes with different chemical reagents attached onto their opposite tube-ends should be very useful for site-selective self-assembling of carbon nanotubes into many novel functional structures for various potential applications.     

Dispersing nanotubes with surfactants: a microscopic statistical mechanical analysis

A first theoretical study of surfactant-stabilized carbon nanotube dispersions is presented. Density functional theory is used to compute potential of mean force between nanotubes in an aqueous solution of cationic surfactant n-decyltrimethylammonium chloride. In agreement with experimental results, it is found that stable dispersions can be prepared for surfactant bulk concentrations below the critical micelle concentration. Computed density profiles of head and tail segments indicate that surfactants adsorb on nanotube surfaces in a random fashion rather than form cylindrical micelles, which is also in agreement with recent small-angle neutron scattering measurements.     

Self‐assembled organic nanotubes: Toward attoliter chemistry

Diverse chemical functionalization of the inner and outer surfaces of the nanotubes enables us to sense and visualize the encapsulation and transport behavior of biomacromolecular guests. The event occurs specifically in attoliter volume nanospace inside the hollow cylinder of the nanotubes. Comparison of the organic nanotube history with that of well‐known carbon nanotubes and a variety of molecular building blocks as tube‐forming compounds were first introduced. Asymmetric organic nanotubes with different inner and outer surfaces were discussed in terms of molecular design, immobilization of functional moieties, and molecular packing. Finally, the practical examples of the organic nanotubes as a nanocontainer, nanochannel, and nanopipette were also described to feature the concept of “attoliter chemistry.” © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2601–2611, 2008     

Probing chiral selective reactions using a revised Kataura plot for the interpretation of single-walled carbon nanotube spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy on surfactant-dispersed, aqueous suspensions of single-walled carbon nanotubes is used to verify the energies of interband transitions and validate the spectral assignments of semiconducting and metallic nanotubes determined by spectrofluorimetry for the former and Raman excitation profiles for the latter. The results are compiled into an experimentally based mapping of transition versus nanotube diameter to revise those previously employed using single-electron theoretical treatments. Because this mapping provides the transitions associated with a precise chiral wrapping of a particular nanotube, it allows the monitoring of reaction pathways that are selective to the nanotube chirality vector. This is demonstrated using a model electron-transfer reaction of 4-chlorobenzenediazonium shown to be selective for metallic over semiconducting carbon nanotubes via charge-transfer stabilization of complexes at the surfaces of the former.     

Novel Copper(II)-Selective Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Folic Acid-Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Material

Abstract

A folic acid-functionalized carbon nanotube nanomaterial was prepared by immobilizing folic acid molecules on the carbon nanotubes through covalent bonds. The material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that folic acid molecules were grafted on the carbon nanotube surfaces through the amide bonds between the carboxylic acid functional groups of the oxidized carbon nanotubes and the amine groups of the folic acid molecules. The folic acid molecules bonded to carbon nanotube surfaces led to appreciable changes in the morphology. By using currently obtained folic acid-functionalized carbon nanotube nanomaterial as electroactive material in a polyvinyl chloride membrane, a potentiometric copper (II)-selective sensor was developed. Membrane optimization studies showed that the composition exhibiting the best potentiometric properties was 4.0% (w/w) folic acid–carbon nanotube, 64.0% (w/w) o-nitrophenyl octylether, and 32.0% (w/w) polyvinyl chloride. The developed sensor displayed a linear response in the copper (II) concentration ranging from 1.0?×?10^–6 to 1.0?×?10^–1 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993 and a slope of 29.8?±?0.6?mV/decade of activity. The response time, detection limit, and pH working range were determined to be 4?s, 3.8?×?10^–7 M and 4.0–8.0, respectively. The developed sensor showed highly selective and satisfactory potentiometric response for the determination of copper (II) in a Turkish coin.     

Layer-by-Layer electrostatic self-assembly of polyelectrolyte nanoshells on individual carbon nanotube templates

Carbon nanotubes have been featured prominently in the nanotechnology research for some time, yet robust strategies for noncovalent chemical modification of the nanotube surface are still missing. Such strategies are essential for the creation of functional device architectures. Here, we present a new general procedure for carbon nanotube modification based on polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer assembly. We have built multilayer structures around individual carbon nanotube bridges by first modifying the nanotube surface with a pyrene derivative followed by layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolyte macroions on the nanotube. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy images confirm the formation of nanometer-thick amorphous polymer nanoshells around the nanotubes. These multilayer polyelectrolyte shells on individual carbon nanotubes introduce nearly unlimited opportunities for the incorporation of various functionalities into nanotube devices, which, in turn, opens up the possibility of building more complex multicomponent structures.     

Coaxial carbon nanotubes as shielded nanowires

We report transverse polarizabilities of coaxial carbon nanotubes using first principles density functional theory. These results demonstrate a shielding of the inner nanotube from electric fields by the outer nanotube. This study has implications for nanoelectronics, specifically for the possibility of using coaxial nanotubes as nanoelectrical wires. Shielding is predicted to be on the order of 95% by high-level polarizability calculations. This shielding occurs regardless of whether the outer nanotube is metallic or semiconducting. In addition, a series of calculations on coaxial nanotubes where the inner nanotube is not centered show that the shielding still occurs with approximately the same magnitude. These calculations therefore indicate that it would be possible to use a coaxial carbon nanotube as a shielded nanowire.     

Noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes: application in hybrid nanostructures

We developed a reproducible, noncovalent strategy to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via embedding nanotubes in polysiloxane shells. (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane molecules adsorbed to the nanotube surfaces via hydrophobic interactions are polymerized simply by acid catalysis and form a thin polysiloxane layer. On the basis of the embedded MWNTs, negatively charged gold nanoparticles are anchored to the nanotube surfaces via electrostatic interactions between the protonated amino groups and the gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, these gold nanoparticles can further grow and magnify along the nanotubes through heating in HAuCl4 aqueous solution at 100 degrees C; as a result these nanoparticles are joined to form continuous gold nanowires with MWNTs acting as templates.     

Enthalpy and entropy effects in hydrogen adsorption on carbon nanotubes

Interaction energies and entropies associated with hydrogen adsorption on the inner and outer surfaces of zigzag single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) of various diameters are analyzed by means of molecular mechanics, density functional theory, and ab initio calculations. For a single molecule the strongest interaction, which is 3.5 greater than that with the planar graphite sheet, is found inside a (8,0) nanotube. Adsorption on the outer surfaces is weaker than that on graphite. Due to the steric considerations, both processes are accompanied by an extremely strong decline in entropy. Absence of specific adsorption sites and weak attractive interaction between hydrogen molecules within carbon nanotubes results in their close packing at low temperatures. Using the calculated geometric and thermodynamic parameters in Langmuir isotherms we predict the adsorption capacity of SWCNTs at room temperature to be smaller than 1 wt % even at 100 bar.     

The role of the medium in electrochemical functionalization and dispersion of carbon nanotubes

An electrochemical method for dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is described. The technique is based on grafting of oxygen-containing functional groups to the nanotube surface during electrolysis in aqueous and nonaqueous potassium bromide solutions. A dependence of the degree of functionalization of nanotubes on the solvent was revealed experimentally. Nanotubes treated in DMSO have about 14 carbon atoms per oxygen atom from functional groups (cf. nearly four C atoms per oxygen atom in the nanotubes treated in aqueous solutions). The corresponding maximum specific capacities of the electrodes are nearly 10 and 60 F g⁻¹. The samples treated in solutions of KBr in DMSO have about 300 carbon atoms per bromine atom on the nanotube surface (cf. only 30 carbon atoms in the samples treated in aqueous solution). A mechanism of electrochemical modification of SWNTs is proposed. Its key step is production of atomic oxygen that oxidizes the nanotube surface with the formation of functional groups.     

Sensor activity with respect to alkali metals of a carbon nanotube edge-modified with amino group

The work is devoted to the theoretical study of sensor activity of nanosystems based on a carbon nanotube modified with a functional amino group, with respect to certain metal atoms and ions. The calculations were performed within the molecular cluster model using the semiempirical MNDO scheme and density functional theory DFT. The mechanism of attachment of an amino group to the open edge of zigzag single-walled carbon nanotubes possessing cylindrical symmetry was studied to design a chemically active sensor based on them. The key geometric and electron-energy characteristics of the constructed systems have been determined. The interaction of the sensors thus constructed with atoms and ions of some metals—potassium, sodium, and lithium—has been studied. The scanning of arbitrary surfaces containing selected atoms or ions has been modeled; from the interaction energies, and the activity of the single-walled carbon nanotube + amino group probe system has been determined with respect to the selected elements to be initialized. Analysis of the charge state of the system has established that the sensor action mechanism is realized, as a result of which the number of charge carriers in the resulting nanotubular system serving as a sensor probe changes, which provides the appearance of conductivity in the system. The presence of metallic atoms can be experimentally detected by the change in the potential in a probe system based on a nanotube with a functional group. The theoretical studies have proved the possibility of creating highly sensitive sensors based on the most promising nanomaterial— carbon nanotubes functionalized with active chemical groups, including the amino group NH₂.     

Adsorption and porosity properties of pure and modified carbon nanotube surfaces

Modified carbon multiwall nanotubes were prepared via the oxidation process by means of 65% nitric acid or ferric nitrate dissolved with 65% nitric acid. Using special thermogravimetry and sorptometry methods physicochemical properties of pure and modified nanotube surfaces were investigated. A numerical and analytical procedure for the evaluation of total heterogeneous properties on the basis of liquid thermodesorption from the sample surfaces under the quasi-equilibrium conditions are presented. The calculations of the fractal dimensions of carbon nanotubes using the sorptometry and thermogravimetry data is presented.     

Theoretical prediction of encapsulation and adsorption of platinum-anticancer drugs into single walled boron nitride and carbon nanotubes

In this research, the adsorption and encapsulation of cisplatin, nedplatin, oxaliplatin and carbaplatin as Pt-anticancer drugs into the (7,7) boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) and carbon nanotube (CNT) are investigated using density functional theory. The different orientation modes of drug molecules onto the outer and inner surfaces of BNNT and CNT are studied. Analysis of the adsorption energy reveals that the complex formation process is favorable. The calculated adsorption energies indicate that the encapsulation of drugs inside the nanotubes is more favorable than the adsorption of drugs outside of the nanotubes. On the other hand, the results show that the BNNT/oxaliplatin(in) system is more stable than the others. The stabilization of nanotube/drug complexes results in electronic and structural properties change in the nanotubes. The natural bond orbital calculations show that the van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions are the major factors contributed to the overall stabilities of the complexes. The predicted electronic and structural properties of BNNT compared to the CNT towards Pt-anticancer drugs, suggest that BNNT can act as drug delivery vehicles.     

Studies of adsorption and total heterogeneity properties of pure and modified carbon nanotube surfaces

Modified carbon multiwall nanotubes were prepared via the oxidation process by means of 65 % nitric acid and/or ferric nitrate dissolved with 65 % nitric acid. Using special thermogravimetry (Q-TG), sorptometry, and AFM methods physicochemical properties of pure and modified nanotube surfaces were investigated. A numerical and analytical procedure for the evaluation of total heterogeneous properties on the basis of liquid thermodesorption from the sample surfaces under the quasi-equilibrium conditions is presented. The calculations of the fractal dimensions of carbon nanotubes using the thermogravimetry Q-TG, sorptometry, and AFM data are presented.     

Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles immobilised on 3-amino-silane-modified MWNT materials for methanol oxidation

We demonstrate the use of molecular monolayers to enhance the nucleation of electrocatalytically active platinum nanocrystals onto carbon nanotubes. The multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) is embedded within the polysiloxane shell with large amounts of hydrophilic amino groups outside after the siloxane is polymerized on the nanotube surfaces. Subsequent deposition of platinum nanoparticles led to high densities of 2- to 5-nm diameter Pt nanocrystals uniformly deposited along the length of the carbon nanotubes. The structure and nature of the resulting Pt/Si–MWNT composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical measurements show that the molecular monolayers do not impede redox behavior of the electrode, and measurements of the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol show very high catalytic efficiency.     

Noncovalent interactions of molecules with single walled carbon nanotubes

In this critical review we survey non-covalent interactions of carbon nanotubes with molecular species from a chemical perspective, particularly emphasising the relationship between the structure and dynamics of these structures and their functional properties. We demonstrate the synergistic character of the nanotube-molecule interactions, as molecules that affect nanotube properties are also altered by the presence of the nanotube. The diversity of mechanisms of molecule-nanotube interactions and the range of experimental techniques employed for their characterisation are illustrated by examples from recent reports. Some practical applications for carbon nanotubes involved in non-covalent interactions with molecules are discussed.     

Structural and reactivity properties of finite length cap-ended single-wall carbon nanotubes

The reaction of C2 with growing single-wall carbon nanotubes of different chiralities is investigated using density functional theory. It is found that the energy of the frontier orbitals for (5,5) and (6,6) armchair carbon nanotubes exhibits periodic behavior with an increasing number of carbon atoms in the nanotube. Such periodic behavior induces oscillations in the reaction energy released by adsorption of C2 to the nanotube open edge. In contrast, the energy of the frontier orbitals of the (6,5) chiral tube remains constant as the number of C atoms increases, and the same stability is observed in the adsorption energy. It is suggested that this may be one of the reasons for the low percent of armchair single-wall carbon nanotubes found in the experimental synthesis.     

聚碳酸酯修饰多壁碳纳米管的制备和表征

为了制备聚合物/碳纳米管复合物,采用聚碳酸酯修饰了多壁碳纳米管。选择聚碳酸环氧丙烷己内酯,聚碳酸亚丁酯己内酯和聚碳酸亚丙酯马来酸酐酯三种聚碳酸酯修饰多壁碳纳米管,仅仅碳酸环氧丙烷己内酯修饰的碳纳米管复合物可分离得到可溶解性产物。分别采用红外光谱、扫描电镜和透射电镜表征了碳纳米管的表面修饰基团及形貌。热重分析表明,可溶解聚碳酸环氧丙烷己内酯修饰多壁碳纳米管相对接枝了较多的聚合物,因此促进了碳纳米管的溶解性,可能是因为聚碳酸环氧丙烷己内酯具有较多的端羟基提高了修饰接枝效果。可溶解聚碳酸环氧丙烷己内酯修饰多壁碳纳米管接枝了生物活性的部分,并具有一定溶解性,在药物载体领域将具有潜在用途。