%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Chemical Sciences %D 2008 %T Near-complete phase transfer of single-wall carbon nanotubes by covalent functionalization %A Kakade, Bhalchandra A. %A Patil, Sanjay %A Sathe, Bhaskar %A Gokhale, Suresh %A Pillai, Vijayamohanan %K Carbon nanotubes %K microscopy %K Microwave %K Nanostructures %K solubility of SWNTs %X

We describe here an efficient phase transfer of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) from aqueous to non-aqueous media using a unique amide functionalization route, where water soluble SWNTs (2.6 mg/mL) are effectively transferred to solvents like chloroform, toluene and CS(2). A maximum of 30 wt% of oxygenated groups have been generated on the side walls by rapid microwave treatment, leading to a solubility of more than 2.6 mg/mL in water. Approximate surface amine coverage of 50% has been accomplished after oxalyl chloride treatment as inferred from thermogravimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy by controlling several key parameters associated with the extent of functionalization including purity of the sample, temperature and time.

%B Journal of Chemical Sciences %I INDIAN ACAD SCIENCES %C C V RAMAN AVENUE, SADASHIVANAGAR, P B \#8005, BANGALORE 560 080, INDIA %V 120 %P 599-606 %8 NOV %G eng %N 6 %3 Indian %4 1.075 %R 10.1007/s12039-008-0091-3