Characterization of hydrophilic carbon nanohorns prepared by the arc-in-water method

Abstract

Abstract Hydrophilic single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) are produced by using the arc-in-water method. These hydrophilic SWNHs are easily formed in clusters with a diameter of ∼30–40 nm. The XRD pattern features a peak at around 26°, which is typical for SWCNHs. There are evidences of C–C, C=C, C–O, C=O and O=C–O– bonding units based on the XPS spectra of hydrophilic SWNHs. The Raman spectra show that the hydrophilic SWNHs have a high number of defects. Furthermore, stretching vibration bands of C–O, C=C, O=C–O–, C–H and O–H units have been observed by FTIR measurements. All these spectroscopic results are consistent with the structural concepts.