Effects of varying the content of alcohol in the reaction mixture on the graphitization of MWCNTs and their surface functionalization Article uri icon

abstract

  • The effects of the addition of different alcohol content (methanol, ethanol, octanol) to the ferrocene-xylene reaction mixture on the graphitization and the surface functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) have been studied. The addition of very low alcohol content to the ferrocene-xylene mixture has negative effects on the average length of f-MWCNTs, which is possibly related to the use of ultrasound irradiation for mixing the xylene/alcohol reactants. As the alcohol content in the reaction mixture is increased, the oxygen atoms coming from the alcohol begin to have a positive effect on the average length of the synthesized f-MWCNTs, and at a volume ratio around 1:0.1 (xylene/alcohol), a relatively high alcohol content compared with other reports, the maximal increment on average length of the carbon nanotubes is obtained, and the graphitic quality of the sample, as a whole, is improved. After this optimal volume, the increase in the alcohol content in the ferrocene xylene solution results in more oxygen atoms and in stronger oxidative environment, which hinders the growth of f-MWCNTs. Moreover, the ratio between oxygen and carbon atoms of the alcohol molecule is responsible of the morphological and structural differences of the f-MWCNTs synthesized using the same volume but different type of alcohol. Finally, the use of alcohol introduces functional groups on the walls of MWCNTs increasing their chemical reactivity. © 2012 American Chemical Society.

publication date

  • 2012-01-01