Photothermal conversion of carbon nanohorns enhancing caprolactone polymerization

Abstract

Photothermal conversion of nanocarbons has potential applications in medical and energy engineering. It is expected that the photothermal conversion of tubular nanocarbons can thermally enhance polymer formation on their surfaces and insides. We show in this report that light irradiation enhanced the catalytic polymerization of caprolactone (CL) on tubular carbon nanohorns, and polycaprolactone (PCL) was formed on the outside and, more abundantly, inside the carbon nanohorns. The PCL particles were of nanometer size, which indicated another unique effect of this method of preparation. The abundant PCL preparation inside the nanohorns was probably caused by the confinement of CL molecules and thermal energies inside the nanohorns, which could enhance the polymerization of CLs. Other nanocarbons that had photothermal conversion properties would similarly enhance polymerization and other chemical reactions to provide unique methods of synthesizing materials.