Covalent sidewall functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes by amino acids

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with amino acids covalently attached to their side walls, viz., “nanotube-aminoacids,” have been prepared starting from colloidal solutions of fluorinated SWNTs (F-SWNTs) and amino acids in o-dichlorobenzene and heating at 80–150 °C in the presence of pyridine. The syntheses were carried out with the F-SWNTs of approximately 2: 1 (C: F) stoichiometry and several natural α-aino acids with both pro-tected and unprotected carboxyl groups, such as glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride, L-serine ethyl ester hydrochloride, l-cysteine, and trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline. The nanotube-aminoacids have been characterized by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, atomic force, scanning, and transmission electron microscopies, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Based on TGA data, the degree of sidewall functionalization in the synthesized SWNT derivatives was estimated to be in the range from one of 32 to one of 8 carbon atoms, depending on the amino acid nature and reaction conditions used. The amino acid-functionalized SWNTs, prepared in this work by simple and inexpensive one-step method, can be valuable precursors for peptide synthesis and targeted drug delivery, design and fabrication of nanocomposites and fibers, and other biomedical and engineering applications. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1035–1043, May, 2008.     

A comparative study of biochar,multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphitized carbon black as QuEChERS absorbents for the rapid determination of six triazole fungicides by UPLC-MS/MS

A rapid, effective and sensitive method to quantitatively determine six fungicide residue was developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). The target compounds were extracted by using acetonitrile and the sorbent used for clean-up in this modified QuEChERS analytical method were biochar, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphitized carbon black (GCB). Results indicated that the MWCNT (10 mg) was the most effective sorbent in removing pigment. This method was validated on spinach, tomato, cucumber, celery, lettuce, rape, pakchoi, romaine lettuce and eggplant matrices spiked at three concentration levels of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg kg^?1. It exhibited recoveries between 73.1% and 118.2% with RSD values below 20%. Matrix-matched calibrations were performed with the coefficients of determination >0.9901 between concentration levels of 0.01–1 mg kg^?1. The limit of quantity (LOQ) for six pesticides ranged from 0.0036 to 0.011 mg kg^?1. The developed method was satisfactorily applied to determine pesticide residues in market vegetable samples.     

Novel UV initiator for functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by atom transfer radical polymerization applied on two different grades of nanotubes

A novel nonoxidative method for preparation of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been developed based on a UV sensitive initiator for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The method has been investigated with respect to ligands and polymerization time for the preparation of polystyrene functionalized MWCNT. It was found that pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) gave superior results with higher loading in shorter polymerization time. A comparative study of the method applied on two different grades of nonoxidized MWCNT has been performed, illustrating large differences in reactivity and polymer loading, underlining the importance of the choice of MWCNT starting material. In addition to styrene, also poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) was shown to polymerize from the surface of the MWCNT. Finally, initial results from composites of polystyrene or polyphenylenesulfide are presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

多壁碳纳米管表面L-组氨酸手性印迹聚合材料的制备及性能表征

通过酰胺化反应在多壁碳纳米管（MWNTs）表面接枝双键,以L-组氨酸（L-His）为模板,甲基丙烯酸（MAA）为功能单体,乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯（EGDMA）为交联剂,偶氮二异丁腈（AIBN）为引发剂,利用表面印迹技术,在MWNTs表面制备印迹聚合物（MWNTs-MIPs）．采用红外光谱,扫描电子显微镜和热重分析表征印迹聚合物的性质,结果表明MWNTs表面成功接枝了一层稳定的、厚度为35～40nm具有识别能力的印迹聚合材料．结合高效液相色谱技术,通过填充色谱柱在线色谱分析,探讨不同pH值的流动相下该印迹材料对L-His的分离行为,结果表明MWNTs—MIPs色谱柱在流动相pH=7．0时分离效果最好,能够选择性地识别L-His和D-His,分离度R为1．78,选择因子α为1．28．     

Controlled surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes by nitric acid vapors generated from sub‐azeotropic solution

Controlled surface modification of nanocarbons is crucial for their use in applications. The paper deals with the functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with HNO₃ vapors. Sub‐azeotropic HNO₃ + H₂O + Mg(NO₃)₂ solution is used for the generation of nitric acid vapors. Because this approach allows tuning the HNO₃ concentration in the vapor phase, the effect of its variation on the surface chemistry and structural properties of the CNTs is investigated. A combination of analytical techniques is applied to evaluate oxidation extent of the CNT surface, selectivity towards the formation of carboxyl groups compared with other oxygenated functionalities, and CNT integrity. The comparison with liquid‐phase functionalization in H₂SO₄ + HNO₃ mixture (1 : 3–3 : 1 v/v), conventionally utilized for oxidizing CNTs, shows that vapor‐phase functionalization affords greater surface oxygen uptakes and higher selectivity towards the formation of carboxyl groups, with smaller tube damage; more importantly, it evidences that, regardless of the method and conditions chosen, the selectivity towards carboxyl groups increases linearly with the surface oxygen concentration. The presented results prove that the product of HNO₃ concentration in the vapor‐phase (25–93 wt%) and vapor‐phase functionalization duration (0.5–5 h) controls the surface oxygen concentration. A simple rate model is proposed to account for its increase. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

“Click” coupling between alkyne‐decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and reactive PDMA‐PNIPAM micelles

Covalent functionalization of alkyne‐decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with a well‐defined, azide‐derivatized, thermoresponsive diblock copolymer, poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PDMA‐PNIPAM) was accomplished by the Cu(I)‐catalyzed [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition. It was found that this reaction could simultaneously increase the molecular size and bonding density of grafted polymers when PDMA‐PNIPAM micelles were employed in the coupling system. On the other hand, attachment of molecularly dissolved unimers of high‐molecular weight onto the nanotube resulted in low‐graft density. The block copolymer bearing azide groups at the PDMA end was prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation transfer polymerization, which formed micelles with a diameter of ～40 nm at temperatures above its critical micelle temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to demonstrate that the coupling reaction was successfully carried out between copolymer micelles and alkyne‐bearing MWNTs. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to follow the introduction and consumption of alkyne groups on the MWNTs. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the functionalized MWNTs consisted of about 45% polymer. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to image polymer‐functionalized MWNTs, showing relatively uniform polymer coatings present on the surface of nanotubes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7187–7199, 2008     

The effect of localized lateral growth of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with ammonia plasma post‐treatment

We present horizontally‐oriented multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown by means of thermal chemical vapor deposition. The CNT is across the trenches of the catalytic metals on predefined Ti electrodes. The properties of the lateral multiwalled CNT, following post‐ammonia plasma treatment, are reported. Information about the ammonia plasma treated on the interface structure of CNT is obtained using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experimental results show that upon exposure to ammonia, the electrical property of the CNT is found to increase. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled and double‐walled carbon nanotubes: Positive effect of the filler functionalization on high glass transition temperature epoxy resins

Double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified using melamine to attach ? NH₂ to the surface of these fillers, without previous oxidation of their graphene layers. FT‐Raman, elemental (chemical) and thermogravimetric analysis, confirmed the modification, which was more extensive for DWCNTs. The potential of this modification was evaluated by adding the melamin‐modified nanotubes to thermosets based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (resin) and polycyclic amine (hardener). Broadening of the glass transition interval and an increase between 7 and 8 °C of the glass transition temperatures show better filler/matrix interaction for the nanocomposites based on melamine‐modified nanotubes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1860–1868, 2009     

Surface covalent encapsulation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with poly(acryloyl chloride) grafted poly(ethylene glycol)

Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) was grafted with polyacrylate‐g‐poly (ethylene glycol) via the following two steps. First, hydroxyl groups on the surface of acid‐treated MWNT reacted with linear poly(acryloyl chloride) to generate graft on MWNT; secondly, the remaining acryloyl chloride groups were subjected to esterification with poly(ethylene glycol) leading the grafted chains on the surface of MWNTs. Thus obtained grafted MWNT was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the weight fraction of grafted polymers amounted to 80% of the modified MWNT. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6880–6887, 2006     

Development of magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes combined with near-infrared radiation-assisted desorption for the determination of tissue distribution of doxorubicin liposome injects in rats

For the first time, magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) combined with near-infrared radiation-assisted desorption (NIRAD) was successfully developed for the determination of tissue distribution of doxorubicin liposome injects (DOXLI) in rats. The magnetic MWNTs nanomaterials were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process. Magnetic Fe(3)O(4) beads, with average diameters of ca. 200 nm and narrow size distribution, were decorated along MWNTs to form octopus-like nanostructures. The hybrid nanocomposites provided an efficient way for the extraction and enrichment of doxorubicin (DOX) via π-π stacking of DOX molecules onto the polyaromatic surface of MWNTs. DOX adsorbed with magnetic MWNTs could be simply and rapidly isolated through a magnetic field. In addition, due to the near-infrared radiation (NIR) absorption property of MWNTs, irradiation with NIR laser was employed to induce photothermal conversion, which could trigger rapid DOX desorption from DOX-loaded magnetic MWNTs. Extraction conditions such as amount of magnetic MWNTs added, pH values, adsorption time, desorption solvent and NIR time were investigated and optimized. Method validations including linear range, detection limit, precision, and recovery were also studied. The results showed that the proposed method based on magnetic MWNTs coupled to NIRAD was a simple, rapid and high efficient approach for the analysis of DOXLI in rat tissues.     

Functional macromolecules from single-walled carbon nanotubes: synthesis and photophysical properties of short single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalised with 9,10-diphenylanthracene

9,10-Diphenylanthracene (DPA), a well-studied organic chromophore (Phi(fl) = 0.98) that exhibits electroluminescence, has been covalently bound through 2-(ethylthio)ethylamido linkers to the carboxylic acid groups of short, soluble single-walled carbon nanotubes (sSWNTs) of 1 microm average length, and the resulting DPA-functionalised sSWNT (DPA- sSWNT) macromolecular adducts (4.6 wt % DPA content) characterised by solution (1)H NMR, Raman and IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Comparison of the quenching of DPA fluorescence (steady-state and time-resolved) and of the transient optical spectra of sSWNTs and DPA-sSWNTs show that the covalent linkage boosts the interaction between the DPA and the sSWNT units. DPA-sSWNTs exhibit emission in the near-IR region from 1100-1400 nm with an enhanced quantum yield (Phi = 5.7x10(-3)) compared with sSWNTs (Phi = 3.9x10(-3)).     

Development of magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes as solid-phase extraction technique for the determination of p-hydroxybenzoates in beverage

In this work, magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal process, and then successfully used as magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbents for the determination of p-hydroxybenzoates in beverage. The prepared magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes presented both satisfactory superparamagnetism and strong capacity of absorption, with magnetic Fe(3)O(4) beads of 200 nm average diameters decorated at either ends of the tubes. The hybrid nanocomposites showed a high efficiency in the extraction and enrichment of p-hydroxybenzoates via π-π stacking of targeted molecules onto the polyaromatic composed surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, which entitled them promising magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbents for p-hydroxybenzoates at trace level from complex drink samples. By using an external magnetic field, p-hydroxybenzoates adsorbed on magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes could be rapidly isolated in only 30 s, and subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography-diode array detector after elution with organic solvents. Extraction conditions such as eluting solvent, the amounts of magnetic sorbents added, pH values, adsorption and desorption time were investigated and optimized to achieve the best effect. Method validations including linearity, detection limit, and precision were also studied. The linearities were in the wide range of 0.05-500 μg/mL with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9983 for all p-hydroxybenzoates. The limits of detection were less than 20 ng/mL. Acceptable RSDs were achieved within 5-8% for all analytes. The results indicated that the proposed method based on magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes as magnetic solid-phase extraction absorbents was rapid, efficient, and convenient for the analysis of the targeted compounds of p-hydroxybenzoates in beverage sample.     

Synthesis and self‐assembly of polystyrene‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a hairy‐rod nanostructure

Polystyrene‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PS‐g‐MWNTs) with a hairy‐rod nanostructure were synthesized by the in situ free‐radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) terminated with vinyl groups. To quantitatively study the molecular weight and composition of polystyrene (PS) chains in PS‐g‐MWNTs, PS‐g‐MWNTs were fully defunctionalized by hydrolysis. The results showed that 1 of every 100 carbon atoms in MWNTs was functionalized at the tips and outer walls of the carbon nanotubes and grafted by PS with a weight‐average molecular weight of 9800 g/mol; therefore, a uniform thin layer (ca. 8–10 nm) of a PS shell was formed on the outer wall of MWNTs. PS‐g‐MWNTs were soluble in dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran. The thermal stability and glass‐transition temperature of PS in PS‐g‐MWNTs were obviously increased. Nanopins were formed on the glass substrates by the self‐assembly of PS‐g‐MWNTs, and the dewetting effect between the glass substrate and PS chains covered MWNTs during the evaporation of the solution. Both the length and diameter of the nanopins increased with the solution concentration. When PS‐g‐MWNTs were compression‐molded, MWNTs were dispersed uniformly in the PS matrix and formed good networks, such as circlelike and starlike structures, because of the entanglements of hairy PS chains on MWNTs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3869–3881, 2006     

129Xe NMR study of the localization of PdCl2 supported on carbon nanotubes

Localization of PdCl₂ clusters supported on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been investigated using ¹²⁹Xe NMR of adsorbed xenon. As-made MWCNTs with channels initially inaccessible for adsorption and ball-milled MWCNTs with the totally accessible internal surface were used as supports. The observed ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectra were determined by the dynamics of xenon exchange between the aggregate pores and nanotube channels. No considerable changes of the ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectrum with the concentration of supported PdCl₂ were observed for the as-made MWCNT, while an additional resonance appeared for the ball-milled nanotubes. The ¹²⁹Xe NMR experiments evidenced the supported species to be localized on the internal surface of the ball-milled MWCNT.     

Covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) by reactive melt blending

A small amount of cyano groups in poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) was converted to oxazoline groups through reaction with 2-aminoethanol. Reactive melt blending of oxazoline-containing SAN and acidified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) leads to the grafting of polymer chains onto MWCNTs arising from reactions between oxazoline and carboxylic acid groups. Spectroscopic, thermal and microscopic techniques confirmed the successful grafting of SAN onto MWCNTs. This method is comparatively simpler and greener than a previously reported method, and can be adopted to graft other acrylonitrile-containing polymers onto MWCNTs.     

Enhanced separation of purine and pyrimidine bases using carboxylic multiwalled carbon nanotubes as additive in capillary zone electrophoresis

This paper describes the enhanced separation of adenine (A), hypoxanthine (HX), 8-azaadenine (8-AA), thymine (T), cytosine (C), uracil (U) and guanine (G) by CZE dispersing carboxylic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (c-MWNTs) into the running buffer. The effect of important factors such as c-MWNT nanoparticle concentration, the acidity and concentration of running buffer, and separation voltage were investigated to acquire the optimum conditions. The seven purine and pyrimidine bases could be well separated within 16 min in a 35 cm effective length fused-silica capillary at a separation voltage of +8.0 kV in a 23 mM tetraborate buffer (pH 9.2) containing 8.0 x 10(-5) g/mL c-MWNTs. Under the optimal conditions, the linear ranges were of 2-250 microg/mL for A (R2 = 0.995), 3-200 microg/mL for U (R2 = 0.990) and G (R2 = 0.992), 3-250 microg/mL for T (R2 = 0.998), 2-200 microg/mL for C (R2 = 0.985) and 4-200 microg/mL for HX (R2 = 0.988) and 8-AA (R2 = 0.990). The detection limits were 0.9 microg/mL for A (S/N = 3), 2.4 microg/mL for U, 2.0 microg/mL for T, 1.5 microg/mL for C, 2.5 microg/mL for G and 3.0 microg/mL for HX and 8-AA. The proposed method was successfully applied for determining five purine and pyrimidine bases in yeast RNA.     

Crystallization,rheological, and mechanical properties of PLLA/PEG blend with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) were introduced into poly(L‐lactide)/polyethylene glycol (PLLA/PEG) blend and the effects of FMWCNTs on crystallization behaviors, rheological, and mechanical properties of PLLA/PEG/FMWCNTs were investigated. The results show that FMWCNTs exhibit good distribution in the nanocomposites and absorb some PEG to agglomerate around them. The crystallization behavior of PLLA in the nanocomposites is greatly dependent on the content of FMWCNTs. At low content of FMWCNTs, the addition of FMWCNTs improves the crystallization behavior of PLLA by enhancing the crystallization temperature and accelerating the crystallization rate, whereas at high content of FMWCNTs, the crystallization of PLLA is restricted to a certain degree. Rheological properties show the formation of the network structure of FMWCNTs at high content, which is the main reason for the retarded crystallization behavior of PLLA due to the network structure providing restriction to mobility and diffusion of PLLA chains to crystal growth fronts. The mechanical properties show that FMWCNTs exhibit reinforcement effect for plasticized PLLA. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of mixing methods on the dispersion of carbon nanotubes during the solvent-free processing of multiwalled carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

Several solvent-free processing methods to disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in bisphenol F-based epoxy resin were investigated, including the use of a microfluidizer (MF), planetary shear mixer (PSM), ultrasonication (US) and combinations. The processed mixture was cured with diethyl toluene diamine. Three complimentary techniques were used to characterize the dispersion of the MWCNTs in cured composite samples: optical microscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For sample MF + PSM, optical micrographs and Raman images showed reduced agglomeration and a homogeneous distribution of MWCNTs in the epoxy matrix. SEM analysis of fractured specimen after tensile testing revealed breakage of nanotubes along the fracture surface of the composite. A comparison of the MWCNT dispersion in the epoxy samples processed using different methods showed that a combination of MF and PSM processing yields a more homogeneous sample than the PSM or US + PSM processed samples. Mechanical testing of the composites showed about 15% improvement in the tensile strength of samples processed by the MF + PSM method over other methods. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed a small decrease in the onset degradation temperature for poorly dispersed samples produced by PSM compared with the well-mixed samples (MF + PSM). These results strongly suggest that the MF + PSM processing method yield better-dispersed and stronger MWCNT/epoxy composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Effect of hydroxy groups on conformational equilibrium in bis-quinolizidine systems

A review of the 99 ¹³C NMR spectra of 72 hydroxy, methoxy or ester derivatives of alkaloids with the sparteine skeleton has been made. An improved method of determination of the conformer fractions in conformational equilibria in bis-quinolizidine compounds of sparteine type has been used to estimate the energy of the hydroxy group effect at various positions. The effect can be explained by intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

The effect of different treatment methods of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on thermal and flexural properties of their epoxy nanocomposites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were oxidized using four different acid‐treatment methods followed by their functionalization with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3‐APTES). Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) nanocomposites with unmodified and silanized MWCNTs (0.2 wt %) were prepared by a cast molding method. The effect of functionalization of MWCNTs on thermal, flexural, and morphological properties of the epoxy nanocomposites were studied. The epoxy/MWCNTs nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, flexural testing, and field emission electron microscopic analysis. The results showed that the silanization of MWCNTs which were oxidized by a two‐step process using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid showed better thermal and flexural properties due to good interfacial adhesion between MWCNTs and the epoxy matrix. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1175–1184, 2010