Nanotubes by Oxidation with Peroxygen Compounds

A method of preventing aggregation of nanotubes is described. The procedure entails the ambient temperature introduction of carboxylic acids onto the nanotube substrate using a mixture of ammonium persulfate and sulfuric acid. By this method up to 0.76meq/g carboxylic acid was introduced onto a nanotube surface after two days. 

TABLE 1. Summary of surface oxidation of nanotubes in 300 ml IM ammonium persulfate/sulfuric acid mixture. 

Entry Fibrils (g) Oxidation Duration (days) Surface Groups (meq/g) 

Note Oxidized nanotubes had the appearance of weathered rope with many broken and loose ends. 

Electrodes with a diameter of 0.5 inch were prepared by sonicating a mixture of 0.3 g oxidized nanotubes with 300 ml of water and 5 drops Triton X-100 using a 400 W ultrasonic processor. A mat was initially prepared by drying the nanombes at 100°C, the nanotubes were then further heated to 350°C in air for 4 hours. The final weight of the mat was 283 mg with a thickness of 0.0049 inch and a density of 0.41g/ml. Testing results provided in Table 2. 

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Title Modification of Nanotubes by Oxidation with Peroxygen Compounds... 

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