Functionalization of carbon nanotubes by electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts: a bucky paper electrode
14 Jun 2001-Journal of the American Chemical Society (American Chemical Society)-Vol. 123, Iss: 27, pp 6536-6542
TL;DR: Nanotubes derivatized with a 4-tert-butylbenzene moiety were found to possess significantly improved solubility in organic solvents and represents the marriage of wire-like nanotubes with molecular electronic devices.
Abstract: Small-diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes are predicted to display enhanced reactivity relative to larger-diameter nanotubes due to increased curvature strain. The derivatization of these small-diameter nanotubes via electrochemical reduction of a variety of aryl diazonium salts is described. The estimated degree of functionalization is as high as one out of every 20 carbons in the nanotubes bearing a functionalized moiety. The functionalizing moieties can be removed by heating in an argon atmosphere. Nanotubes derivatized with a 4-tert-butylbenzene moiety were found to possess significantly improved solubility in organic solvents. Functionalization of the nanotubes with a molecular system that has exhibited switching and memory behavior is shown. This represents the marriage of wire-like nanotubes with molecular electronic devices.
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TL;DR: Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Triesteadays.
Abstract: Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
3,886 citations
TL;DR: Graphene has emerged as a subject of enormous scientific interest due to its exceptional electron transport, mechanical properties, and high surface area, and when incorporated appropriately, these atomically thin carbon sheets can significantly improve physical properties of host polymers at extremely small loading.
Abstract: Graphene has emerged as a subject of enormous scientific interest due to its exceptional electron transport, mechanical properties, and high surface area. When incorporated appropriately, these atomically thin carbon sheets can significantly improve physical properties of host polymers at extremely small loading. We first review production routes to exfoliated graphite with an emphasis on top-down strategies starting from graphite oxide, including advantages and disadvantages of each method. Then solvent- and melt-based strategies to disperse chemically or thermally reduced graphene oxide in polymers are discussed. Analytical techniques for characterizing particle dimensions, surface characteristics, and dispersion in matrix polymers are also introduced. We summarize electrical, thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties of the graphene/polymer nanocomposites. We conclude this review listing current challenges associated with processing and scalability of graphene composites and future perspectives f...
2,979 citations
TL;DR: This review will explore the materials properties of transparent conductors, covering traditional metal oxides and conductive polymers initially, but with a focus on current developments in nano-material coatings.
Abstract: Transparent electrodes are a necessary component in many modern devices such as touch screens, LCDs, OLEDs, and solar cells, all of which are growing in demand. Traditionally, this role has been well served by doped metal oxides, the most common of which is indium tin oxide, or ITO. Recently, advances in nano-materials research have opened the door for other transparent conductive materials, each with unique properties. These include CNTs, graphene, metal nanowires, and printable metal grids. This review will explore the materials properties of transparent conductors, covering traditional metal oxides and conductive polymers initially, but with a focus on current developments in nano-material coatings. Electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of each material will be discussed, as well as suitability for various applications.
1,947 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review recent progress and advances that have been made on: (a) dispersion of CNTs in a polymer matrix, including optimum blending, in situ polymerization and chemical functionalization; and (b) alignment of CNNs in the matrix enhanced by ex situ techniques, force and magnetic fields, electrospinning and liquid crystalline phase-induced methods.
Abstract: Polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are expected to have good processability characteristics of the polymer and excellent functional properties of the CNTs. The critical challenge, however, is how to enhance dispersion and alignment of CNTs in the matrix. Here, we review recent progress and advances that have been made on: (a) dispersion of CNTs in a polymer matrix, including optimum blending, in situ polymerization and chemical functionalization; and (b) alignment of CNTs in the matrix enhanced by ex situ techniques, force and magnetic fields, electrospinning and liquid crystalline phase-induced methods. In addition, discussions on mechanical, thermal, electrical, electrochemical, optical and super-hydrophobic properties; and applications of polymer/CNT composites are included. Enhanced dispersion and alignment of CNTs in the polymer matrix will promote and extend the applications and developments of polymer/CNT nanocomposites.
1,848 citations
TL;DR: Methods for the preparation of mesoporous carbon materials with extremely high surface areas and ordered mesostructures, with potential applications as catalysts, separation media, and advanced electronic materials in many scientific disciplines are developed.
Abstract: Porous carbon materials are of interest in many applications because of their high surface area and physicochemical properties. Conventional syntheses can only produce randomly porous materials, with little control over the pore-size distributions, let alone mesostructures. Recent breakthroughs in the preparation of other porous materials have resulted in the development of methods for the preparation of mesoporous carbon materials with extremely high surface areas and ordered mesostructures, with potential applications as catalysts, separation media, and advanced electronic materials in many scientific disciplines. Current syntheses can be categorized as either hard-template or soft-template methods. Both are examined in this Review along with procedures for surface functionalization of the carbon materials obtained.
1,716 citations
References
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NEC1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported the synthesis of abundant single-shell tubes with diameters of about one nanometre, whereas the multi-shell nanotubes are formed on the carbon cathode.
Abstract: CARBON nanotubes1 are expected to have a wide variety of interesting properties. Capillarity in open tubes has already been demonstrated2–5, while predictions regarding their electronic structure6–8 and mechanical strength9 remain to be tested. To examine the properties of these structures, one needs tubes with well defined morphologies, length, thickness and a number of concentric shells; but the normal carbon-arc synthesis10,11 yields a range of tube types. In particular, most calculations have been concerned with single-shell tubes, whereas the carbon-arc synthesis produces almost entirely multi-shell tubes. Here we report the synthesis of abundant single-shell tubes with diameters of about one nanometre. Whereas the multi-shell nanotubes are formed on the carbon cathode, these single-shell tubes grow in the gas phase. Electron diffraction from a single tube allows us to confirm the helical arrangement of carbon hexagons deduced previously for multi-shell tubes1.
8,018 citations
IBM1
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that covaporizing carbon and cobalt in an arc generator leads to the formation of carbon nanotubes which all have very small diameters (about 1.2 nm) and walls only a single atomic layer thick.
Abstract: CARBON exhibits a unique ability to form a wide range of structures. In an inert atmosphere it condenses to form hollow, spheroidal fullerenes. Carbon deposited on the hot tip of the cathode of the arc-discharge apparatus used for bulk fullerene synthesis will form nested graphitic tubes and polyhedral particles. Electron irradiation of these nanotubes and polyhedra transforms them into nearly spherical carbon 'onions'. We now report that covaporizing carbon and cobalt in an arc generator leads to the formation of carbon nanotubes which all have very small diameters (about 1.2 nm) and walls only a single atomic layer thick. The tubes form a web-like deposit woven through the fullerene-containing soot, giving it a rubbery texture. The uniformity and single-layer structure of these nanotubes should make it possible to test their properties against theoretical predictions.
3,758 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been produced in a gas-phase catalytic process, where catalysts for SWNT growth form in situ by thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl in a heated flow of carbon monoxide at pressures of 1-10 atm and temperatures of 800-1200°C.
1,812 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarization modulation IR reflection absorption spectrograms, Auger spectrographic analysis, and Rutherford backscattering spectrographs to estimate the surface coverage of carbon-epoxy composites.
Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of a wide variety of aromatic diazonium salts on carbon electrodes (glassy carbon, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) leads to the covalent attachment of the corresponding aromatic radicals The films thus deposited on glassy carbon surfaces require mechanical abrasion to be removed Cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarization modulation IR reflection absorption spectroscopy, Auger spectroscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy allow the characterization of the overlayer and an estimate of the surface coverage The latter can be controlled through diazonium concentration and electrolysis duration The mechanism of derivatization is discussed on the basis of the kinetic data obtained from cyclic voltammetry and preparative electrolysis This versatile method of surface modification may find applications in the field of carbon−epoxy composites as attested by the successful binding of grafted p-aminophenyl groups with epichlorhydrin
996 citations