Effect of acid oxidation treatment on adsorption properties of arc-discharge synthesized multiwall carbon nanotubes.

JOSÉ L. VICENTE, ALBERTO ALBESA, JORGE L. LLANOS, ETHEL S. FLORES, ABEL E. FERTITTA, DELIA B. SORIA, M. SERGIO MORENO AND MATÍAS RAFTI.

Journal of the Argentine Chemical Society

ASOCIACIÓN QUÍMICA ARGENTINA

Año: 2011 vol. 98 p. 29 - 38

0365-0375

The effect of nitric/sulfuric acid oxidation treatment on commercial arc-discharge multiwall carbon nanotubes was studied. Purification and structure modifications were assessed via Transmission Electron Microscopy and Thermogravimetric Analysis; while changes in adsorption properties were monitored by nitrogen and methane adsorption isotherms. After treatment, nitrogen isotherms present hysteresis loop and an increased BET surface area; while adsorption energies obtained from isosteric heat profiles revealed a marked decrease. We propose an explanation for these findings and use macroscopic experimental data to gain insight on acid oxidation effect on the material.