Method of solubilizing shortened single-walled carbon nanotubes in organic solutions
AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorsRobert C. Haddon, Jian Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Naked single-walled nanotube carbon metals and semiconductors were dissolved in organic solutions by derivatization with SOCl2 and octadecylamine charge. Both ionic (charge transfer) and covalent solution phase chemistry with concomitant modulation of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) band structure were demonstrated. Solution phase near-IR spectroscopy was used to study the effects of chemical modifications on the band gaps of the SWNTs. Reaction of solubilized SWNTs with dichlorocarbene led to functionalization of the nanotube walls.
Claims23
A method of solubilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes in an organic solvent, comprising:
- purifying said single-walled carbon nanotubes;
- terminating ends of said single-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxylic acid groups;
- shortening said single-walled carbon nanotubes;
- polishing said single-walled carbon nanotubes;
- converting said carboxylic acid groups on said ends of said single walled carbon nanotubes to acid chloride groups;
- reacting said acid chloride converted single-walled carbon nanotubes with an amine having a formula RNH2, or R1R2NH wherein R, R1 and R2=CH3(CH2)n where n=9-50 or R, R1 and R2=(C6H4)(CH2)nCH3, where n=5-50;
- and
- dissolving said reacted single-walled carbon nanotubes in said organic solvent.
A method of solubilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes in an organic solvent, comprising:
- terminating ends of said single-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxylic acid groups;
- converting said carboxylic acid groups to acid chloride groups;
- reacting said acid chloride groups with an amine having a formula RNH2, or R1R2NH wherein R, R1 and R2=CH3(CH2)n where n=9-50 or R, R1 and R2=(C6H4)(CH2)nCH3, where n=5-50;
- and
- dissolving said reacted single-walled carbon nanotubes in said organic solvent.
A solution comprising:
- single-walled carbon nanotubes derivatized by terminating open ends of said single-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxylic acid groups, converting said carboxylic acid groups to acid chloride groups, reacting said acid chloride groups with an amine having a formula RNH2, or R1R2NH wherein R, R1 and R2=CH3(CH2)n where n=9-50 or R, R1 and R2=(C6H4)(CH2)nCH3, where n=5-50;
- and
- an organic solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.