Selective functionalization of carbon nanotubes

The present invention is directed toward methods of selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes of a specific type or range of types, based on their electronic properties, using diazonium chemistry. The present invention is also directed toward methods of separating carbon nanotubes into populations of specific types or range(s) of types via selective functionalization and electrophoresis, and also to the novel compositions generated by such separations

Methods for selective functionalization and separation of carbon nanotubes

The present invention is directed toward methods of selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes of a specific type or range of types, based on their electronic properties, using diazonium chemistry. The present invention is also directed toward methods of separating carbon nanotubes into populations of specific types or range(s) of types via selective functionalization and electrophoresis, and also to the novel compositions generated by such separations

Using Covalent and Non-Covalent Chemistry to Control Properties of Single -Walled Carbon Nanotubes

197 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008.Electrophoretic mobility control is demonstrated via covalent functionalization with 4-hydroxybenzene diazonium and non-covalent functionalization with sodium cholate surfactant. Solution-phase solubility without surfactants can be achieved using high levels of covalent functionalization with aryl hydroxyl or aryl carboxylic acid moieties. Polymer theory based models for the Hildebrand and Hansen solubility parameters confirm the effect of functionalization. The adsorption of SWNT to silicon oxide surfaces modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) is controlled via type of functional moiety, extent of functionalization, and nature of silicon oxide surface chemistry. Self-consistent field theory for polymer systems is applied and describes the effect of functionalization on SWNT adsorption thermodynamics.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD