title: Steam purification for the removal of graphitic shells coating catalytic particles and the shortening of single-walled carbon nanotubes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. belen.ballesteros@chem.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tobias
authors.forename: Lidong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pellicer
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nogués
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: Malcolm L H
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013227:Steam; D006108:Graphite