Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes: Methods, Mechanisms and Technological Realization

Abstract

The paper considers the main regularities of liquid-phase and gas-phase functionalization of carbon nanotubes. The effective values of the kinetic parameters (rate constants and activation energy) of the processes occurring during various types of chemical treatment of carbon nanotubes were determined. Mechanisms of liquid-phase and gas-phase oxidative functionalization of carbon nanotubes with a conical and cylindrical form of graphene layers were proposed. Partial reaction rates were determined for carboxylation of carbon nanotubes. The thermal effects of liquid-phase and gas-phase oxidation of carbon nanotubes by nitric acid were estimated. The possibilities of secondary transformations of oxidized carbon nanotubes and the effects exhibited by functionalized forms when introduced into polymer matrices were shown. Using the experimental data, mathematical models of reactors for pilot-industrial realization of liquid-phase and gas-phase functionalization of carbon nanotubes were proposed. A draft process scheme for multi-batch production of functionalized forms of carbon nanotubes was developed.