Dispersion of single walled carbon nanotubes in organogels by incorporation into organogel fibers.
We prepared hybrid organogels, where single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were incorporated into organogel fibers. The SWNTs were covalently functionalized with organic branches that had a similar structure to the organogelator. The effect of relative interactions between the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), organogelator, and solvent molecules on the hybrid organogel structure was investigated. Compounds 1 and 2 were synthesized from 3,4,5-tris(decyloxy)benzoic acid and 1,8-diaminooctane, as an organogelator and a functional group for SWNTs, respectively. Organogelator 1 showed excellent ability to gelate alkanes and alcohols. The pristine SWNTs were oxidized by acids to create carboxylic acid groups and functionalized covalently with compound 2 using thionyl chloride. Hybrid organogels of compound 1 with functionalized SWNTs (f-SWNTs) were prepared in decane and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the f-SWNTs in the hybrid organogel formed in decane were mainly located inside or on the surface of the organogel fibers, while the f-SWNTs in the hybrid organogel formed in DMF were distributed evenly over the sample. When an organogelator had a different chemical structure to that of an organic functional group on the SWNT surface, SWNTs existed as large aggregates, or long bundles, which were not incorporated inside of the organogel fibers.
Oh
Hyukkeun
H
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-744, Republic of Korea.
Jung
Byung Mun
BM
Lee
Hyun Pyo
HP
Chang
Ji Young
JY
D001565:Benzoates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003959:Diamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015394:Molecular Structure; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
D001565:Benzoates; D003959:Diamines; D005782:Gels; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; C008697:octamethylenediamine