Spectroscopic Investigation of Modified Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT)

Abstract

We have investigated the effects of chemical treatment on Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) before and after being modified with HNO3/H2SO4 by Raman, FTIR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The results show successful carboxylation of the CNT sidewalls as observed from FTIR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. This successful functionalization is achieved in 6-8 hrs of refluxing. We also report changes in the first and second order Raman spectra of SWNTs functionalized with oxygenated groups. During the experiment, we observe some important Raman features: Radial breathing mode (RBM), Tangential mode (G-band), and Disordered mode (D-band); which are affected due to the chemical oxidation of carbon nanotubes. We found that the ratio of D- to the G-band intensity (Id/Ig), increase after functionalization and the RBM mode in acid treated SWCNTs is almost disappeared.