US EPA

750658 

Journal Article 

Solubilization of single-wall carbon nanotubes in Organic solvents without sidewall functionalization 

Anderson, RE; Barron, AR 

2007 

Yes 

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
ISSN: 1533-4880
EISSN: 1533-4899 

AMER SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHERS 

STEVENSON RANCH 

7 

10 

3436-3440 

English 

18330153 

10.1166/jnn.2007.824 

WOS:000250388600014 

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) may be made soluble in a range of organic solvents without sidewall functionalization via their reduction by Na/Hg amalgam in the presence of dibenzo-18-crown-6. The [Na(dibenzo-18-crown-6)]n[SWNT] complex has been characterized by UV-Visible, Raman, and AFM and is consistent with no additional sidewall functionalization as compared with raw SWNTs, while MALDI-MS shows the presence of the [Na(dibenzo-18-crown-6)]+ ion. Solubility is greatest in CH2Cl2 and DMF being comparable to surfactant dispersed SWNTs, however, measurable solubilities are also observed in hexane, toluene, and alcohols. Reaction with alkyl halides (bromohexane, 1-iodododecane) yields alkyl functionalized SWNTs (i.e., C6H11-SWNTs and C12H25-SWNTs) with an C(SWNT):alkyl ratio (ca. 40:1) significantly lower than that observed by the analogous reaction of alkyl halides with reduced SWNTs formed by the Billups method in liquid ammonia. 

Nanotube; Reduction; Solubilization; SWNT 

ChemOnTubes International Conference 

Arcachon, FRANCE