We successfully functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) through a microwave discharge of ammonia. Evidence is supplied through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with band assignment aided by computational modeling. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy results also provide supporting evidence of functional groups attached to the surfaces of SWNTs from ammonia plasma.

We have exposed single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to microwave-generated N2 plasma with the aim to functionalize the nanotubes. The results strongly depend on the distance between the discharge source and the sample, since nitrogen atoms generated can be lost due to recombination. No functionalization was observed when this distance was 7.0 cm. At intermediate distances (2.5 cm), the incorporation of nitrogen and oxygen onto the SWCNT was observed, while, at short distances (1 cm), products containing CN were also observed.

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