Selective functionalization of carbon nanotubes
AssigneeWilliam Marsh Rice University
InventorsMichael S. Strano, Monica Usrey, Paul Barone, Christopher A. Dyke, James M. Tour, W. Carter Kittrell, Robert H. Hauge, Richard E. Smalley
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Abstract
The present invention is directed toward methods of selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes of a specific type or range of types, based on their electronic properties, using diazonium chemistry. The present invention is also directed toward methods of separating carbon nanotubes into populations of specific types or range(s) of types via selective functionalization and electrophoresis, and also to the novel compositions generated by such separations.
Claims13
A method for selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes, wherein the method comprises:
- a) suspending a plurality of carbon nanotubes in a solvent to provide a plurality of suspended carbon nanotubes;
- wherein the plurality of suspended carbon nanotubes comprise metallic carbon nanotubes, semimetallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes;
- and
- b) reacting a substoichiometric amount of a functionalizing species with respect to the amount of carbon of the carbon nanotubes, with the plurality of suspended carbon nanotubes;
- wherein the substoichiometric amount of the functionalizing species is selected such that a reaction of the functionalizing species occurs only with metallic and semimetallic carbon nanotubes but not with semiconducting carbon nanotubes.
A method for selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes, wherein the method comprises:
- a) suspending a plurality of carbon nanotubes in a solvent to provide a plurality of suspended carbon nanotubes;
- wherein the plurality of suspended carbon nanotubes comprise metallic carbon nanotubes, semimetallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes;
- and
- b) reacting a substoichiometric amount of a diazonium species, with respect to the amount of carbon of the carbon nanotubes, with the plurality of suspended carbon nanotubes;
- wherein the substoichiometric amount of the diazonium species is selected such that a reaction of the diazonium species occurs only with metallic and semimetallic carbon nanotubes but not with semiconducting carbon nanotubes.
A method for selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes, wherein the method comprises:
- a) adding a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an aqueous surfactant solution and homogenizing to form a mixture of surfactant-suspended carbon nanotubes;
- wherein the mixture of surfactant-suspended carbon nanotubes comprises metallic carbon nanotubes, semimetallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes;
- and
- b) reacting a substoichiometric amount of a diazonium species with respect to the amount of carbon of the carbon nanotubes with the mixture of surfactant-suspended carbon nanotubes;
- wherein the substoichiometric amount of the diazonium species is selected such that a reaction of the diazonium species occurs only with metallic and semimetallic carbon nanotubes but not with semiconducting carbon nanotubes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.