Surface modification of multiwall carbon nanotubes by sulfonitric treatment

S. GOMEZ; N. RENDTORFF; E. AGLIETTI; Y. SAKKA; G. SUAREZ

APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016 vol. 379 p. 264 - 269

0169-4332

Carbon nanotubes are widely used for electronic, mechanical, and optical devices due to their uniquestructural and quantum characteristics. The species generated by oxidation on the surface of these materialspermit binding new reaction chains, which improves the dispersibility, processing and compatibilitywith other materials.Even though different acid treatments and applications of these CNT have been reported, relativelyfew research studies have focused on the relationship between the acid treatment and the formation ofnanodefects, specific oxidized species or CNT surface defects.In this work, multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) oxidation at 90 ◦C was characterized in order todetermine the acid treatment effect on the surface.It was found that oxidized species are already present in MWCNT without an acid treatment, butthere are not enough to cause water-based dispersion. The species were identified and quantified byinfrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Also, transmission electron microscopyobservations showed not only modifications of the oxidized species, but also morphological damage onthe surfaces of MWCNT after being subjected to the acid treatment. This effect was also confirmed byRaman spectroscopy. The acid treatment generates higher oxidized species, decreasing the zeta potentialin the whole pH rang