Stevens J., Kini V.U., Huang A., Chiang I.W., Derrien G.A., Khabashesku V.N., Margrave J.L.
Rice University, US
Keywords: amine, functionalization, HiPco, nanotechnology, purification, sidewall
Because of the high reactivity of C-F bonds on the sidewalls of single-wall carbon nanotubes, fluorinated SWNTs (fluoronanotubes) can be used as precursors for further derivatization. One such reaction is to replace the fluorine with aminoalkyl functionality. Fluoronanotubes were heated with terminal diamines ethylene diamine, propylene diamine, butylene, and hexamethylene diamine in solution phase by stirring the reactants at elevated temperatures (100-200 C). FTIR, RAMAN, ESEM/EDAX, variable temperature, mass spectrometry, TEM, and TGA analyses were used to determine the sidewall attachment of the aminoalkyl groups and the carbon-to-functional group ratio. Short time stirring or sonication of fluoronanotubes in alkylidene diamine solvents at room temperature resulted in complete dissolution of fluoronanotubes. Alkylamino-derivatized SWNTs are found to be soluble in dilute acids and water. These amino-functionalized SWNTs can be used in a pseudo-nylon reaction by adding adipoyl chloride to it. With the success of this experiment further chemistry can follow on the derivatized carbon nanotubes.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2003 Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: February 23, 2003
Pages: 169 - 172
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Carbon Nano Structures & Devices
ISBN: 0-9728422-2-5