The Colloidal Stabilization of Carbon with Carbon: Carbon Nanobubbles as both Dispersant and Glue for Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The superior physical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have led to their broad application. Intrinsically, CNTs tend to agglomerate from hydrophobic interactions, which is highly undesirable for solution processing and device fabrication. Commonly, a stabilizer consisting of organic surfactants or polymers is used to disperse CNTs. Recently, we synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon hollow nanospheres (25-90 nm), termed carbon "nanobubbles". They bear superior dispersability in water and distinctive graphitic order. Herein, we describe the nanobubble-assisted dispersion of CNTs in aqueous solution upon sonication. This process relies on the π-π interaction between the two aromatic carbon nanostructures, which can process their carbon mixture in water into conductive filter membranes, ink, and discs. This stabilization can be extended to other aromatic carbons. In addition, the π-π interaction may create a new type of carbon p-n junction that can be used to improve charge separation.

Poly(ionic liquid) binders as Li+ conducting mediators for enhanced electrochemical performance

“…The well-known charge transfer interaction between PILs to carbons making them perfect nanocarbon stabilizers 42,43 is not only creating a favourable structural electron pathway due to a strong interaction between carbon and PILs, but at the same time will also increase the number of charge carriers by charge transfer effects.…”

Poly(Ionic Liquid)‐Derived Carbon with Site‐Specific N‐Doping and Biphasic Heterojunction for Enhanced CO2 Capture and Sensing

“…[17] This type of carbon/carbon heterojunction is active in similar systems [16,30] and also explains their high catalytic activity. [17] This type of carbon/carbon heterojunction is active in similar systems [16,30] and also explains their high catalytic activity.…”

“…[14] N-doped carbons with large specific surface area have been well examined and constitute one of the few golden standards to beat. [16] This charge separation results in as table dispersion of colloidal carbon superstructures in aqueous solution. Besides,e laborating the relationship between surfaceexposed nitrogen active sites and the sorption/monitoring properties of carbon is crucial to identify the function of nitrogen active sites and improve CO 2 capture/sensor performance.Recently the heterojunction between N-doped carbon and ordinary all-carbon nanostructures,f or example carbon nanotubes (CNTs), has been found to create as pontaneous electron flux from carbon to N-doped carbon.…”

Domino games: Controlling structure and patterns of carbon nanomaterials in 2D & 3D

“…Photographs of (c) pristine cellulose filter membrane, (d) conductive membrane formed by depositing the CNT/CNB network onto the filter paper and (e) filter paper with a conductive pattern. [63]. Printed with permission from Wiley.…”

“…Another example for electronic patching is given by Yuan and co-workes who applied an ''all-carbon'' approach to increase the dispersability of carbon allotropes [63]. In this work, nitrogen-doped carbon hollow spheres, named carbon nanobubbels (CNBs), were used in order to disperse carbon nanotubes via pi-pi interaction between the relatively electron-poor CNBs and the electron-rich CNTs.…”