Purification of SWNTs Using Microwave Heating

Abstract

A new method for purifying single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using microwave heating is developed. The microwaves couple to the residual metal catalyst, raising significantly the local temperature leading to both the oxidation and rupturing of the carbon passivation layer over the metal catalyst particles and sintering. With this protective carbon coating weakened or removed, a mild acid treatment in HCl is then sufficient to remove most of the metal in the sample, leaving the nanotubes in tact. Results from transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM & SEM), Raman spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric studies are discussed.

The reagent-free, microwave-assisted purification of carbon nanotubes

“…MiW-assisted purification processes have been reported, but all, however, at some stage, involve the use of oxidative reagents. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Hence, the advantage of these methods is only that the reaction times required are shorter than for conventionally heated processes. The strong acid and/or oxidizing reagents will render impurities soluble in aqueous media, and hence allow their removal, together with the excess acid/oxidant, by washing with large quantities of water.…”

In-plane vibration analysis of curved carbon nanotubes conveying fluid embedded in viscoelastic medium

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used for a variety of nanomechanical [1,2] and nanobiological [3,4] applications, optic [5] and other fields of materials science [6][7][8]. Since the most functions of CNTs depend mainly on their mechanical properties, the mechanics of CNTs has become a subject of primary interest in recent studies.…”

A Study on Self-Insertion of Peptides Into Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation

“…Their applications in medicine and gene delivery areas are also promising. 8 However, CNTs are highly hydrophobic and tend to form insoluble aggregates, which makes them difficult to assemble into applicable structures. 9 In order to investigate and facilitate their biophysical and biochemical applications, many experimental efforts have been made to functionalize CNTs.…”