Towards Solutions of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Common Solvents

Abstract

Spontaneous exfoliation of single-walled carbon nanotubes on dilution of dispersions in a common solvent, N-methyl-pyrrolidone, is demonstrated. The free-energy of mixing is negative, confirming athermal solubility. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements show physisorption of the solvent to the nanotube (see figure). Experiments, supported by a simple model, show that successful solvents for nanotubes are those with surface tensions close to that of graphite.

Keywords

Carbon nanotubeMaterials scienceExfoliation jointPhysisorptionSolventDilutionSolubilityMixing (physics)GraphiteNanotubeScanning tunneling microscopeChemical engineeringHildebrand solubility parameterNanotechnologyChemical physicsOrganic chemistryGrapheneThermodynamicsComposite materialChemistryAdsorptionPolymer

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Publication Info

Year: 2008
Type: article
Volume: 20
Issue: 10
Pages: 1876-1881
Citations: 347
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Shane D. Bergin, 
                                
                                    Valeria Nicolosi, 
                                
                                    Philip V. Streich
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (2008). 
                            Towards Solutions of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Common Solvents. 
                            Advanced Materials
                            , 20
                            (10)
                            , 1876-1881.
                            https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.200702451
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1002/adma.200702451