Open AccessAn XANES study on the modification of single‐walled carbon nanotubes by nitric acid
Author(s) -
Liang Xianqing,
Zhong Jun,
Wang Yu,
Zhao Ting,
Yao Peng,
Chu Wangsheng,
Ibrahim Kurash,
Qian Haijie,
Wu Ziyu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049509007493
Subject(s) - nitric acid , xanes , carbon nanotube , sodium hydroxide , absorption (acoustics) , chemistry , nitric oxide , absorption spectroscopy , chemical modification , inorganic chemistry , spectroscopy , materials science , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , polymer chemistry , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy has been applied to identify the modification process of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) treated by nitric acid. The carboxyl groups created by the nitric acid treatment have been found to be formed on both the carbonaceous fragments and the side walls of SWCNTs. The carbonaceous fragments could be removed by a following washing treatment with sodium hydroxide. XANES spectra indicate that carbonaceous fragments are the result of the synthesis process and/or of the nitric acid treatment. Tube walls of SWCNTs are weakly oxidized by the nitric acid treatment although, after removing carbonaceous fragments, a direct oxidation process of SWCNTs is observed. Experimental data address the removal of carbonaceous fragments on SWCNTs as an efficient method for side‐wall modification of a SWCNT.