Different Techniques for Characterizing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Purity

Yuca N., Camtakan Z., Yavuz N.

Conference on Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Associated Devices VI, California, United States Of America, 28 - 29 August 2013, vol.8814 identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume: 8814
  • Doi Number: 10.1117/12.2023215
  • City: California
  • Country: United States Of America
  • Keywords: Single walled carbon nanotube, synthesis, purification, characterization, IMPURITIES
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Transition-metal catalysts, fullerenes, graphitic carbon, amorphous carbon, and graphite flakes are the main impurities in carbon nanotubes. In this study, we demonstrate an easy and optimum method of cleaning SWCNTs and evaluating their purity. The purification method, which employed oxidative heat treatment followed by 6M HNO3, H2SO4, HNO3:H2SO4 and HCl acid reflux for 6h at 120 degrees C and microwave digestion with 1.5M HNO3 for 0.5h at 210 degrees C which was straightforward, inexpensive, and fairly effective. The purified materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear techniques such as INAA, XRF and XRD.