Langmuir 2010-05-18

Effective purification of single-walled carbon nanotubes with reversible noncovalent functionalization.

Fushen Lu, Xin Wang, Mohammed J Meziani, Li Cao, Leilei Tian, Matthew A Bloodgood, Jackie Robinson, Ya-Ping Sun

Index: Langmuir 26(10) , 7561-7564, (2010)

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Abstract

An effective purification method for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) based on a combination of oxidative acid treatment and reversible noncovalent functionalization with 1-pyreneacetic acid is reported. The functionalization was selective toward the nanotubes, allowing a nearly complete removal of residual metal catalysts and carbonaceous impurities. The resulting highly pure SWNTs remained solvent-dispersible, a valuable feature to potential applications that require solvent-based processing. The functionalization agent could be recovered quantitatively and reused. Effects of the purification process on the composition and properties of the nanotube sample were evaluated.