Synthesis and Caracterization of Novel Carbon Nanomaterials

CÉSAR BARBERO; J. BALACH; N. G. COTELLA; D. F. ACEVEDO; G. M. MORALES; M. M. BRUNO; S. SERENO; H. SALAVAGIONE; M. C. MIRAS

San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

Workshop; US_Argentina Workshop on Nanomaterials; 2009

The formation and/or chemical modification of nobel carbon based nanomaterials will be described. The goal is to produce nanomaterials and/or nanostructures to be used in the technological applications. Among the materials studies are mesoporous vitreous carbon, functionalized carbon nanotubes and graphen. Mesoporous itreous carbon is produced by pyrolisis of resorcinol-formaldehyde porous resins. Such resins are made using soft template such as cationic surfactants. We have found that cellulosic fibres can be used as macroporous suport and mesoporous template agent. Additionaly, the accepted mechanism of micelle templating was challenged and stabilizing effect of cationic polyelectrolytes on the porous gel proposed.Multiwall carbon nanotubes were functionalized and dispersed using different strategies, including: covalent reactions, wrapping with  soluble conducting polymers and adsorption of aromatic compounds. Decoration of CNTs with metal nanoparticles was archieved using the dispersing agent as reductant and stabilizer.Graphene plates were synthesized by chemical and electrochemical methods. The chemistry underiying their dispersion is investigated  and specific functionalization reactions are developed.Finally, functionalized CNTs and mesoporous carbon microparticles are self-assembled layer-by-layer with polyelectrolites to produce electrochemically active multilayers which show hierarchical behavior.