Fabrication of Stable Dispersions Containing up to 70% Individual Carbon Nanotubes in a Common Organic Solvent

Abstract

Applications of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are severely restricted, as they exist in rope-like bundles. Many methods have been suggested to de-bundle SWNTs, including both covalent and non-covalent funtionalisation with surfactants, acids, polymers and macromolecules. However, these strategies are unsatisfactory because they result in either the chemical modification of the nanotube or the presence of residual dispersion agents. What is required is the demonstration of stable, exfoliated SWNT dispersions in common solvents. In this work we have demonstrated debundling of single-wall nanotubes by diluting nanotubes dispersions in the solvent N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). Atomic-force-microscopy measurements show a steady decrease in bundle diameter distribution as the concentration is decreased. Photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of individual nanotubes in NMP dispersion. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Silvia Giordani

Full Professor Chair of Nanomaterials

My research interests are in the design, synthesis, and characterization of hybrid smart nanomaterials for biomedical, energy and environmental applications