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Chemically functionalized carbon nanotubes and their characterization using thermogravimetric analysis, fourier transform infrared, and raman spectroscopy

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Abstract

This article reports key findings on the chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNT). The functionalization of chemical vapor-deposited CNT was carried out by treating tubes with polyvinyl alcohol through ultrasonication in water with the aid of a surfactant. The surfactant is expected to promote the unbundling of aggregated CNT. The characterization of functionalized samples using thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the CNT were functionalized by the interaction of carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups. From the characterization studies, it is apparent that there is a strong interaction between these functional groups and the covalently bonded carbon in the CNT network. The functionalization process enabled good CNT dispersion in the solution, and the CNT remained in suspension for many days. To support the effective functionalization of the tubes, the interaction of functionalized CNT with Ni ions is also demonstrated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    E. Titus, N. Ali, G. Cabral & J. Gracio

  2. Polymer Research Center, Department of Physics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

    P. Ramesh Babu

  3. Birck Nanotechnology Center and College of Technology, Purdue University, 47907-2021, West Lafayette, IN

    M. J. Jackson

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  1. E. Titus
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  2. N. Ali
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  3. G. Cabral
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  4. J. Gracio
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  5. P. Ramesh Babu
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Titus, E., Ali, N., Cabral, G. et al. Chemically functionalized carbon nanotubes and their characterization using thermogravimetric analysis, fourier transform infrared, and raman spectroscopy. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 15, 182–186 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1361/105994906X95841

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1361/105994906X95841

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