A facile, solvent-free, noncovalent, and nondisruptive route to functionalize single-wall carbon nanotubes using tertiary phosphines

Suri, A; Chakraborty, AK; Coleman, KS

Abstract

A facile, solvent-free, low-level noncovalent method for the modification of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by tertiary phosphines is described. The modified SWNTS show greater ease of exfoliation into common organic solvents (Such as dichloromethane, dimethylformamide, ethanol, and 1,2-dichlorobenzene) than unmodified nanotubes which is important for enhanced processability. AFM analysis shows a significant debundling of the SWNTs upon phosphine treatment. Interestingly, Raman spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy in the near-infrared region indicate that the disruption of the intrinsic electronic structure of the nanotubes upon modification is minimal. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data obtained from the modified nanotubes suggest that the tertiary phosphines interact chemically, presumably via the lone pair of electrons on the phosphorus, with the "electron-deficient" nanotubes.

Citation

Suri, A., Chakraborty, A., & Coleman, K. (2008). A facile, solvent-free, noncovalent, and nondisruptive route to functionalize single-wall carbon nanotubes using tertiary phosphines. Chemistry of Materials, 20(5), 1705-1709. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm071573e

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2008-03
• Journal: Chemistry of Materials
• Print ISSN: 0897-4756
• Electronic ISSN: 1520-5002
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1705-1709
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/cm071573e
• Keywords: SIDEWALL FUNCTIONALIZATION; ABSORPTION-SPECTROSCOPY; WATER; SOLUBILIZATION; SEPARATION; CHEMISTRY; FULL
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1553740