A one-step route to solubilised, purified or functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes

Intermediate-range solvent templating and counterion behaviour at charged carbon nanotube surfaces

The ordering of ions and solvent molecules around nanostructures is of profound fundamental importance, from understanding biological processes to the manipulation of nanomaterials to optimizing electrochemical devices. Classical models commonly used to describe these systems treat the solvent simplistically, an approach that endures, in part, due to the extreme difficulty of attaining experimental measurements that challenge this approximation. Here we perform total neutron scattering experiments on model systems-concentrated amide solutions of negatively charged carbon nanotubes and sodium counterions-and measure remarkably complex intermediate-range molecular solvent ordering. The charged surface orders the solvents up to ∼40 Å, even beyond its dense concentric solvation shells. Notably, the molecular orientation of solvent in direct contact with the nanotube surface itself is distinct, lying near-parallel and not interacting with desolvated sodium counterions. In contrast, beyond this layer the ordering of solvent is perpendicular to the surface. Our results underscore the critical importance of multibody interactions in solvated nanoscale systems and charged surfaces, highlighting competing ion/surface solvation effects.

Freon-CO2-assisted purification of single-walled carbon nanotubes

With the rapidly growing applications, efficient purification of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has become one of the key problems. This paper proposes Freon-CO2-assisted purification of SWCNTs, where CO2 can oxidize the graphitized carbon layer to expose iron (Fe) impurities, while the chlorine from Freon can react with the Fe impurities to form low-boiling-point metal chlorides that can be eliminated in a gas stream. After an acid washing with a very small amount of hydrochloric acid, the last remaining metal impurities are removed and highly pure SWCNTs are produced. Compared with traditional strong-acid-oxidation purification or high-temperature-vacuum purification, this method can maintain the structure and length of the SWCNTs. Raman spectra show that an I G/I D ratio of more than 100 can be obtained. This purification method can maintain the microstructure and excellent properties of SWCNTs and provide a solution for the preparation of high-quality SWCNTs to exert their properties.

Upscaling Thermoelectrics: Micron-Thick, Half-a-Meter-Long Carbon Nanotube Films with Monolithic Integration of p- and n-Legs

In order for organic thermoelectrics to successfully establish their own niche as energy-harvesting materials, they must reach several crucial milestones, including high performance, long-term stability, and scalability. Performance and stability are currently being actively studied, whereas demonstrations of large-scale compatibility are far more limited and for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are still missing. The scalability challenge includes material-related economic considerations as well as the availability of fast deposition methods that produce large-scale films that simultaneously satisfy the thickness constraints required for thermoelectric modules. Here we report on true solutions of CNTs that form gels upon air exposure, which can then be dried into micron-thick films. The CNT ink can be extruded using a slot-shaped nozzle into a continuous film (more than half a meter in the present paper) and patterned into alternating n- and p-type components, which are then folded to obtain the finished thermoelectric module. Starting from a given n-type film, differentiation between the n and p components is achieved by a simple postprocessing step that involves a partial oxidation reaction and neutralization of the dopant. The presented method allows the thermoelectric legs to seamlessly interconnect along the continuous film, thus avoiding the need for metal electrodes, and, most importantly, it is compatible with large-scale printing processes. The resulting thermoelectric legs retain 80% of their power factor after 100 days in air and about 30% after 300 days. Using the proposed methodology, we fabricate two thermoelectric modules of 4 and 10 legs that can produce maximum power outputs of 1 and 2.4 μW, respectively, at a temperature difference ΔT of 46 K.

Weak Interactions in Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-Tertiary Amide Solutions: The Versatility of DMSO as a Solvent

The structures of equimolar mixtures of the commonly used polar aprotic solvents dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been investigated via neutron diffraction augmented by extensive hydrogen/deuterium isotopic substitution. Detailed 3-dimensional structural models of these solutions have been derived from the neutron data via Empirical Potential Structure Refinement (EPSR). The intermolecular center-of-mass (CoM) distributions show that the first coordination shell of the amides comprises ∼13-14 neighbors, of which approximately half are DMSO. In spite of this near ideal coordination shell mixing, the changes to the amide-amide structure are found to be relatively subtle when compared to the pure liquids. Analysis of specific intermolecular atom-atom correlations allows quantitative interpretation of the competition between weak interactions in the solution. We find a hierarchy of formic and methyl C-H···O hydrogen bonds forms the dominant local motifs, with peak positions in the range of 2.5-3.0 Å. We also observe a rich variety of steric and dispersion interactions, including those involving the O═C-N amide π-backbones. This detailed insight into the structural landscape of these important liquids demonstrates the versatility of DMSO as a solvent and the remarkable sensitivity of neutron diffraction, which is critical for understanding weak intermolecular interactions at the nanoscale and thereby tailoring solvent properties to specific applications.

Stepwise Generation of Mono-, Di-, and Triply-Reduced Warped Nanographenes: Charge-Dependent Aromaticity, Surface Nonequivalence, Swing Distortion, and Metal Binding Sites

The stepwise chemical reduction of a molecular warped nanographene (WNG) having a negatively curved π-surface and defined C₈₀ H₃₀ composition with Cs metal used as the reducing and complexing agent allowed the isolation of three different reduced states with one, two, and three electrons added to its π-conjugated system. This provided a unique series of nanosized carbanions with increasing negative charge for in-depth structural analysis of consequences of controlled electron charging of non-planar nanographenes, using X-ray crystallographic and computational tools. The 3D molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps identified the negative charge localization at the central part of the WNG surface where selective coordination of Cs⁺ ions is confirmed crystallographically. In-depth theoretical investigation revealed a complex response of the WNG to the stepwise electron acquisition. The extended and contorted π-surface of the WNG undergoes subtle swinging distortions that are accompanied by notable changes in the electronic structure and site-dependent aromaticity of the resulting carbanions.

Insights into the naphthalenide-driven synthesis and reactivity of zerovalent iron nanoparticles

The chemical and thermal stability of alkali metal naphthalenides as powerful reducing agents are examined, including the type of alkali metal ([LiNaph] and [NaNaph]), the type of solvent (THF, DME), the temperature (-30 to +50 °C), and the time of storage (0 to 12 hours). The stability and concentration of [LiNaph]/[NaNaph] are quantified via UV-Vis spectroscopy and the Lambert-Beer law. As a result, the solutions of [LiNaph] in THF at low temperature turn out to be most stable. The decomposition can be related to a reductive polymerization of the solvent. The most stable [LiNaph] solutions in THF are exemplarily used to prepare reactive zerovalent iron nanoparticles, 2.3 ± 0.3 nm in size, by reduction of FeCl₃ in THF. Finally, the influence of [LiNaph] and/or remains of the starting materials and solvents upon controlled oxidation of the as-prepared Fe(0) nanoparticles with iodine in the presence of selected ligands is evaluated and results in four novel, single-crystalline iron compounds ([FeI₂(MeOH)₂], ([MePPh₃][FeI₃(Ph₃P)])₄·PPh₃·6C₇H₈, [FeI₂(PPh₃)₂], and [FeI₂(18-crown-6)]). Accordingly, reactive Fe(0) nanoparticles can be obtained in the liquid phase via [LiNaph]-driven reduction and instantaneously reacted to give new compounds without remains of the initial reduction (e.g. LiCl, naphthalene, and THF).

Scalable Sacrificial Templating to Increase Porosity and Platinum Utilisation in Graphene-Based Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Electrodes

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells hold great promise for a range of applications but require advances in durability for widespread commercial uptake. Corrosion of the carbon support is one of the main degradation pathways; hence, corrosion-resilient graphene has been widely suggested as an alternative to traditional carbon black. However, the performance of bulk graphene-based electrodes is typically lower than that of commercial carbon black due to their stacking effects. This article reports a simple, scalable and non-destructive method through which the pore structure and platinum utilisation of graphene-based membrane electrode assemblies can be significantly improved. Urea is incorporated into the catalyst ink before deposition, and is then simply removed from the catalyst layer after spraying by submerging the electrode in water. This additive hinders graphene restacking and increases porosity, resulting in a significant increase in Pt utilisation and current density. This technique does not require harsh template etching and it represents a pathway to significantly improve graphene-based electrodes by introducing hierarchical porosity using scalable liquid processes.

Thermal Decomposition of Ternary Sodium Graphite Intercalation Compounds

Graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) are often used to produce exfoliated or functionalised graphene related materials (GRMs) in a specific solvent. This study explores the formation of the Na‐tetrahydrofuran (THF)‐GIC and a new ternary system based on dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Detailed comparisons of in situ temperature dependent XRD with TGA‐MS and Raman measurements reveal a series of dynamic transformations during heating. Surprisingly, the bulk of the intercalation compound is stable under ambient conditions, trapped between the graphene sheets. The heating process drives a reorganisation of the solvent and Na molecules, then an evaporation of the solvent; however, the solvent loss is arrested by restacking of the graphene layers, leading to trapped solvent bubbles. Eventually, the bubbles rupture, releasing the remaining solvent and creating expanded graphite. These trapped dopants may provide useful property enhancements, but also potentially confound measurements of grafting efficiency in liquid‐phase covalent functionalization experiments on 2D materials.

Real-time mechanistic study of carbon nanotube anion functionalisation through open circuit voltammetry

The mechanism of the functionalisation of reduced single walled carbon nanotubes with organobromides was monitored by open circuit voltammetry throughout the reaction and further elucidated through a series of comparative reactions. The degree of functionalisation was mapped against the reagent reduction potential, degree of electron donation of substituents (Hammett parameter), and energies calculated, ab initio, for dissociation and heterolytic cleavage of the C-Br bond. In contrast to the previously assumed reduction/homolytic cleavage mechanism, the reaction was shown to consist of a rapid association of carbon-halide bond to the reduced nanotube as a complex, displacing surface-condensed countercations, leading to an initial increase in the net nanotube surface negative charge. The complex subsequently slowly degrades through charge transfer from the reduced single-walled carbon nanotube to the organobromide, utilizing charge, and the carbon-halide bond breaks heterolytically. Electron density on the C-Br bond in the initial reagent is the best predictor for degree of functionalisation, with more electron donating substituents increasing the degree of functionalisation. Both the mechanism and the new application of OCV to study such reactions are potentially relevant to a wide range of related systems.

Reductive diazotation of carbon nanotubes: an experimental and theoretical selectivity study

The reaction of negatively charged SWCNTs with diazonium salts was analyzed in a combined experimental and computational DFT study.

The reaction of neutral single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with diazonium salts proceeds with a high selectivity towards metallic carbon nanotube species; this reaction is well-understood and the mechanism has been elucidated. In the present joint theoretical and experimental study, we investigate the reaction of negatively charged SWCNTs – carbon nanotubides – with diazonium salts. Our density functional theory calculations predict a stronger binding of the aryl diazonium cations to charged metallic SWCNTs species and therefore lead to a preferential addend binding in the course of the reaction. The Raman resonance profile analysis on the reductive arylation of carbon nanotubides obtained by the solid state intercalation approach with potassium in varying concentrations confirms the predicted preferred functionalization of metallic carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, we were also able to show that the selectivity for metallic SWCNT species could be further increased when low potassium concentrations (K : C < 1 : 200) are used for an initial selective charging of the metallic species. Further insights into the nature of the bound addends were obtained by coupled thermogravimetric analysis of the functionalized samples.

Depleting Depletion: Maintaining Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersions after Graft-To Polymer Functionalization

Grafting polymers onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) usefully alters properties but does not typically yield stable, solvated species directly. Despite the expectation of steric stabilization, a damaging (re)dispersion step is usually necessary. Here, poly(vinyl acetate)s (PVAc's) of varying molecular weights are grafted to individualized, reduced SWCNTs at different concentrations to examine the extent of reaction and degree of solvation. The use of higher polymer concentrations leads to an increase in grafting ratio (weight fraction of grafted polymer relative to the SWCNT framework), approaching the limit of random sequentially adsorbed Flory "mushrooms" on the surface. However, at higher polymer concentrations, a larger percentage of SWCNTs precipitate during the reaction; an effect which is more significant for larger weight polymers. The precipitation is attributed to depletion interactions generated by ungrafted homopolymer overcoming Coulombic repulsion of adjacent like-charged SWCNTs; a simple model is proposed. Larger polymers and greater degrees of functionalization favor stable solvation, but larger and more concentrated homopolymers increase depletion aggregation. By using low concentrations (25 μM) of larger molecular weight PVAc (10 kDa), up to 65% of grafted SWCNTs were retained in solution (at 65 μg mL^-1) directly after the reaction.

Dopant-Modulated Conjugated Polymer Enrichment of Semiconducting SWCNTs

Conjugated polymer extraction (CPE) is a low-cost, scalable process that can enrich single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) materials in organic media. For other separation methods in aqueous phases, redox chemistry and/or pH control dramatically affect the sorting process of the SWCNTs. We have previously determined that the CPE process can be fine-tuned by adjusting the pH on the tube surface. Here, we systematically studied the effect of redox chemistry on the CPE process by adding organic p-/n-dopants. At a very strong p-/n-doping level, static repulsions dominated the interactions between the tubes and the CPE lost selectivity. When the doping level changed from a medium p-doping to a neutral state, the yield of CPE increased and the selectivity was compromised. We also observed chiral selectivity when a weak p-dopant was used. A photoluminescence excitation mapping under different titration conditions provided more insight into the doping level of the tubes relative to their diameters, chiralities, and redox potentials. We proposed a mechanism for the CPE process. The semiconducting and metallic tubes are separated because of their different solubilities, which are determined by the bundling energy between the tubes and are related to their doping level in polymer solutions.

Sodium Hypochlorite and Sodium Bromide Individualized and Stabilized Carbon Nanotubes in Water

Aggregation is a major problem for hydrophobic carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in water because it reduces the effective particle concentration, prevents particles from entering the medium, and leads to unstable electronic device performances when a colloidal solution is used. Molecular ligands such as surfactants can help the particles to disperse, but they tend to degrade the electrical properties of CNTs. Therefore, self-dispersed particles without the need for surfactant are highly desirable. We report here, for the first time to our knowledge, that CNT particles with negatively charged hydrophobic/water interfaces can easily self-disperse themselves in water via pretreating the nanotubes with a salt solution with a low concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and sodium bromide (NaBr). The obtained aqueous CNT suspensions exhibit stable and superior colloidal performances. A series of pH titration experiments confirmed the presence and role of the electrical double layers on the surface of the salted carbon nanotubes and of functional groups and provided an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon.

Reductive dissolution of supergrowth carbon nanotubes for tougher nanocomposites by reactive coagulation spinning

Long single-walled carbon nanotubes, with lengths >10 μm, can be spontaneously dissolved by stirring in a sodium naphthalide N,N-dimethylacetamide solution, yielding solutions of individualised nanotubide ions at concentrations up to 0.74 mg mL^-1. This process was directly compared to ultrasonication and found to be less damaging while maintaining greater intrinsic length, with increased individualisation, yield, and concentration. Nanotubide solutions were spun into fibres using a new reactive coagulation process, which covalently grafts a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix to the nanotubes directly at the point of fibre formation. The grafting process insulated the nanotubes electrically, significantly enhancing the dielectric constant to 340% of the bulk polymer. For comparison, samples were prepared using both Supergrowth nanotubes and conventional shorter commercial single-walled carbon nanotubes. The resulting nanocomposites showed similar, high loadings (ca. 20 wt%), but the fibres formed with Supergrowth nanotubes showed significantly greater failure strain (up to ∼25%), and hence more than double the toughness (30.8 MJ m^-3), compared to composites containing typical ∼1 μm SWCNTs.

Chemical routes to discharging graphenides

Chemical and electrochemical reduction methods allow the dispersion, processing, and/or functionalization of discrete sp²-hybridised nanocarbons, including fullerenes, nanotubes and graphenes. Electron transfer to the nanocarbon raises the Fermi energy, creating nanocarbon anions and thereby activating an array of possible covalent reactions. The Fermi level may then be partially or fully lowered by intended functionalization reactions, but in general, techniques are required to remove excess charge without inadvertent covalent reactions that potentially degrade the nanocarbon properties of interest. Here, simple and effective chemical discharging routes are demonstrated for graphenide polyelectrolytes and are expected to apply to other systems, particularly nanotubides. The discharging process is inherently linked to the reduction potentials of such chemical discharging agents and the unusual fundamental chemistry of charged nanocarbons.

Reductively PEGylated carbon nanomaterials and their use to nucleate 3D protein crystals: a comparison of dimensionality

A range of carbon nanomaterials, with varying dimensionality, were dispersed by a non-damaging and versatile chemical reduction route, and subsequently grafted by reaction with methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) monobromides. The use of carbon nanomaterials with different geometries provides both a systematic comparison of surface modification chemistry and the opportunity to study factors affecting specific applications. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, graphite nanoplatelets, exfoliated few layer graphite and carbon black were functionalized with mPEG-Br, yielding grafting ratios relative to the nanocarbon framework between ca. 7 and 135 wt%; the products were characterised by Raman spectroscopy, TGA-MS, and electron microscopy. The functionalized materials were tested as nucleants by subjecting them to rigorous protein crystallization studies. Sparsely functionalized flat sheet geometries proved exceptionally effective at inducing crystallization of six proteins. This new class of nucleant, based on PEG grafted graphene-related materials, can be widely applied to promote the growth of 3D crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography. The association of the protein ferritin with functionalized exfoliated few layer graphite was directly visualized by transmission electron microscopy, illustrating the formation of ordered clusters of protein molecules critical to successful nucleation.

Carbon nanotube anions for the preparation of gold nanoparticle–nanocarbon hybrids

This methodology highlights the unusual chemistry of negatively charged carbon nanotubes and provides a blueprint for the generation of hybrid nanomaterials.

The dispersion, solubilization and stabilization in “solution” of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Methods for the solubilization and dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in water and organic solvents by physical and chemical methods have been reviewed.

Aligned Carbon Nanotube Thin Films from Liquid Crystal Polyelectrolyte Inks

Single walled carbon nanotube thin films are fabricated by solution shearing from high concentration sodium nanotubide polyelectrolyte inks. The solutions are produced by simple stirring of the nanotubes with elemental sodium in dimethylacetamide, and the nanotubes are thus not subject to any sonication-induced damage. At such elevated concentrations (∼4 mg mL(-1)), the solutions exist in the liquid crystal phase and during deposition this order is transferred to the films, which are well aligned in the direction of shear with a 2D nematic order parameter of ∼0.7 determined by polarized absorption measurements. Compared to similarly formed films made from superacids, the polyelectrolyte films contain smaller bundles and a much narrower distribution of bundle diameters. After p-doping with an organic oxidizer, the films exhibit a very high DC electrical to optical conductivity ratio of σ(DC)/σ(OP) ∼ 35, corresponding to a calculated DC conductivity of over 7000 S cm(-1). When very thin (T550 ∼ 96%), smooth (RMS roughness, R(q) ∼ 2.2 nm), and highly aligned films made via this new route are used as the front electrodes of carbon nanotube-silicon solar cells, the power conversion efficiency is almost an order of magnitude greater than that obtained when using the much rougher (R(q) ∼ 20-30 nm) and less conductive (peak σ(DC)/σ(OP) ∼ 2.5) films formed by common vacuum filtration of the same starting material, and having the same transmittance.