Surface Modification of Carbon Nanotubes with Combined UV and Ozone Treatments

Recent advances in the development of reliable methods for the chemical functionalization of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provide an additional momentum in extending the applications scope of CNTs. A single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) surface was modified using two methods; ultraviolet (UV) with benzophenone and UV with ozonolysis treatments by varying time length. Both methods resulted in carboxylic acid group functionalization on the surface of CNTs. The thermal properties of the surface modified SWCNTs have been characterized by TGA and the structural morphology of surface-modified single-walled CNT have been examined by field emission scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction. The surface functionalization of SWCNTs is important for dispersion and solubilization as well as to obtain CNT surface with chemical functionalities. Therefore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectra, and elemental analysis were performed to evaluate the changes in chemical structure and surface functional groups of SWCNTs treated under UV with benzophenone and UV with ozonloysis treatments.