Steam purification for the removal of graphitic shells coating catalytic particles and the shortening of single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Purification and shortening of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is carried out by treatment with steam. During the steam purification the graphitic shells coating the catalytic metal particles are removed. Consequently, the exposed catalytic particles can be easily dissolved by treatment with hydrochloric acid. No damage to the carbon nanotube tubular structure is observed, even after prolonged treatment with steam. Samples are characterized by HRTEM, TGA, magnetic measurements, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, and XPS.
Ballesteros
Belén
B
Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. belen.ballesteros@chem.ox.ac.uk
Tobias
Gerard
G
Shao
Lidong
L
Pellicer
Eva
E
Nogués
Josep
J
Mendoza
Ernest
E
Green
Malcolm L H
ML
D002384:Catalysis; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013227:Steam
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013227:Steam; D006108:Graphite