Functionalization of oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes with 4-benzo-9-crown-3 ether

Abstract

Functionalization of oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by a zwitterionic interaction (COO-NH+3) between protonated amine on crown ether and an oxyanion from a carboxylic acid group on SWCNT has been described. This ionic interaction has led to a considerable increase in the solubility of SWCNTs in both organic and aqueous solvents such as ethanol, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylformamide, and H2O. The highest solubility was attained in DMF and DMSO. The ionic bonded 4-benzo-9-crown-3 ether allowed the hosting of Li+. The ionic bond of crown ether (4-(benzo-9-crown-3)) to SWCNT was identified and confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron-microscopy, atomic force microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis methods. © Indian Academy of Sciences.