Surface Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube with Trifluorophenyl

Zhi-Min Dang,Lan Wang,Li-Pei Zhang

doi:10.1155/jnm/2006/83583

Abstract

A new approach to dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) in common polar solvents was reported. Here, a detailed study of nanotube chemistry by using trifluorophenyl (TFP) to modify the surface of MWNT was discussed, which was not reported before. A characterization of the reaction products using a variety of techniques was provided. The results confirmed that the surface of MWNT was successfully functionalized. Furthermore, trifluorophenyl multiwalled carbon nanotube (TFP-MWNT) was well dispersed in polar solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetic acid (Ac), N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), due to the adsorption of trifluorophenyl groups on the surface of raw MWNT. Following chemical modification, dispersed individual nanotube suggests the potentials for wide applications.

Highlights

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show promise for a wide range of applications due to a combination of their novel structural, electronic, mechanical, and nonlinear optical properties [1, 2]
multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) was well dispersed in common polar solvents, such as acetic acid (Ac), trifluoroacetic acid (TFAc), N,N-dimethyl formamide(DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and so on, due to the adsorption of trifluorophenyl groups
It might be noticed that some TFP-MWNTs were shortened and the intertwist of MWNT disappeared because the harsh process broke shape and size of MWNT during the functionalization

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show promise for a wide range of applications due to a combination of their novel structural, electronic, mechanical, and nonlinear optical properties [1, 2]. The limited ability to process and disperse in organic solvent nanotube hinders the realization of their full potential [3]. To overcome this obstacle, several methods have been developed. Along with the rapid development of nanotube chemistry, organic modification and in situ polymerization of CNTs with specific molecules were reported [6,7,8,9,10,11]. We have developed a different approach to disperse multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) in common solvents. Using 3,4,5-trifluoro-bromobenzene (TFBB), a detailed study of nanotube chemistry of MWNT is reported. MWNT was well dispersed in common polar solvents, such as acetic acid (Ac), trifluoroacetic acid (TFAc), N,N-dimethyl formamide(DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and so on, due to the adsorption of trifluorophenyl groups

RAW MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

2: TFP-MWNT

CONCLUSIONS