title: Purification of HiPCO carbon nanotubes via organic functionalization.
abstract: We report a new method for the purification of HiPCO single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), which consists of the following sequence: (a) organic functionalization of the as-produced nanotubes (pristine tubes, p-SWNT), (b) purification of the soluble functionalized nanotubes (f-SWNT), (c) removal of the functional groups and recovery of purified nanotubes (r-SWNT) by thermal treatment at 350 degrees C, followed by annealing to 900 degrees C. Each of these steps contributes to the purification, but only their sequential combination leads to high-purity materials. Organic functionalization makes the SWNT more easy to handle, which results in a better manipulation for potential practical uses. The electronic properties of the purified tubes are investigated via Raman and NIR spectroscopies along with transmission electron microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Georgakilas
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Voulgaris
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prato
authors.forename: Dirk M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Guldi
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kukovecz
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuzmany