Oxidative Process for Cutting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Cut single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are needed for many applications. An efficient way to produce bulk amounts of cut SWNTs is a two step process consisting of sidewall damage and oxidative exploitation. In these experiments sidewall damage is introduced by ozonation in a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) while monitoring the degree of functionalization with in-situ Raman spectroscopy. Use of PFPE allows for a high degree of sidewall functionalization at room temperature, mainly in the form of epoxides. These damaged SWNTs are exposed to piranha (4:1 96%H2SO4:H2O2) for one hour and then quenched. The piranha exposed samples are then functionalized with alkyl groups and spin cast on mica for length analysis. The cut samples are found to have significantly shorter lengths while maintaining a relatively high carbon yield.