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Overcoming the Insolubility of Carbon Nanotubes Through High Degrees of Sidewall Functionalization
Author(s) -
Dyke Christopher A.,
Tour James M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200305534
Subject(s) - surface modification , carbon nanotube , materials science , solubility , selective chemistry of single walled nanotubes , nanotechnology , nanotube , solvent , carbon nanobud , polymer , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , chemistry , optical properties of carbon nanotubes , composite material , engineering
The use of carbon nanotubes in materials applications has been slowed due to nanotube insolubility and their incompatibility with polymers. We recently developed two protocols to overcome the insoluble nature of carbon nanotubes by affixing large amounts of addends to the nanotube sidewalls. Both processes involve reactions with aryl diazonium species. First, solvent‐free functionalization techniques remove the need for any solvent during the functionalization step. This delivers functionalized carbon nanotubes with increased solubility in organic solvents and processibility in polymeric blends. Additionally, the solvent‐free functionalization process can be done on large scales, thereby paving the way for use in bulk applications such as in structural materials development. The second methodology involves the functionalization of carbon nanotubes that are first dispersed as individual tubes in surfactants within aqueous media. The functionalization then ensues to afford heavily functionalized nanotubes that do not re‐rope. They remain as individuals in organic solvents giving enormous increases in solubility. This protocol yields the highest degree of functionalization we have obtained thus far—up to one in nine carbon atoms on the nanotube has an organic addend. The proper characterization and solubility determinations on nanotubes are critical; therefore, this topic is discussed in detail.