title: Effective purification of single-walled carbon nanotubes with reversible noncovalent functionalization.
abstract: An effective purification method for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) based on a combination of oxidative acid treatment and reversible noncovalent functionalization with 1-pyreneacetic acid is reported. The functionalization was selective toward the nanotubes, allowing a nearly complete removal of residual metal catalysts and carbonaceous impurities. The resulting highly pure SWNTs remained solvent-dispersible, a valuable feature to potential applications that require solvent-based processing. The functionalization agent could be recovered quantitatively and reused. Effects of the purification process on the composition and properties of the nanotube sample were evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Laboratory for Emerging Materials and Technology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0973, USA.
authors.forename: Fushen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mohammed J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Meziani
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Leilei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bloodgood
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Ya-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011721:Pyrenes; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: C551339:1-pyreneacetic acid; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011721:Pyrenes