Luminescent short thiol-functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2011-07, Vol.20 (7), p.1046-1049
• Main Authors: Minati, L., Speranza, G., Bernagozzi, I., Torrengo, S., Chiasera, A., Ferrari, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Coupling agents; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron microscopy; Ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; Exact sciences and technology; Luminescence; Materials science; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotubes; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of specific thin films; Other luminescence and radiative recombination; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Photoluminescence; Physics; Wavelengths; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-rays
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2011.06.013

Luminescent short thiol-functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (mean length 100–200 nm) were produced by the reaction between 2-aminoethanethiol molecules and oxidized carbon nanotubes with the aid of a coupling agent in ethanol. After the reactions stop the carbon nanotubes suspension was purified and filtered to separate the shorter carbon nanotubes. The short length carbon nanotubes fraction exhibits an intense luminescence visible to the naked eye. The maximum of the luminescence band and its intensity strongly depends on the excitation wavelength. The sample chemistry and morphology were characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. ► Multi wall carbon nanotubes were oxidized by strong acids. ► The oxidized carbon nanotubes were functionalized with 2-aminoethanethiol molecules. ► The thiol-functionalized carbon nanotubes suspension was purified and filtered to separate the shorter carbon nanotubes. ► The short length carbon nanotubes fraction exhibits an intense luminescence in the visible.