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PUBLICATIONS

A Comparison of Quality of Dispersion of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Using Different Surfactants and Biomolecules

Published

Author(s)

Jeffrey W. Gilman, R Haggenmueller, Sameer Rahatekar, Jeffrey Fagan, Jae H. Chun, Matthew Becker, Rajesh R. Naik, Todd Krauss, Lisa Carlson, Shana O. Kelley, Paul C. Trulove, D M. Fox, John Kadla

Abstract

The application of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in current and future applications crucially depends on the ability to process SWCNT in a solvent to yield high quality dispersions characterized by individual SWCNTs and possessing a minimum of SWCNT bundles. Many approaches for the solubilization of SWCNT have been reported. However, there is no general assessment which compares the relative quality and dispersion efficiency of the respective methods. Herein we report a quantitative comparison of the relative ability of wrapping polymers including oligonucleotides, peptides, cholate, lignin, chitosan, cellulose, ionic liquids and organo-sulfate surfactants to solubilize SWCNT in water. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy provide quantitative characterization (amount of SWCNTs that can be suspended by a given surfactant and its ability to debundle SWCNTs) of these suspensions. Sodium deoxy cholate (SDOCO), oligonucleotides (GT)15, (GT)10, (AC)15, (AC)10, C10-30, and carboxy methylcellulose (CMC-250K) exhibited the highest quality suspensions of the various wrapping polymers studied in this work. The information presented here provides a good framework for further study of SWCNT purification and applications.
Citation
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) -
NIST Pub Series
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Keywords

biomolecules, carbon nanotubes, dispersion, single wall, surfactants
Fire and Buildings and Construction

Citation

Gilman, J. , Haggenmueller, R. , Rahatekar, S. , Fagan, J. , Chun, J. , Becker, M. , Naik, R. , Krauss, T. , Carlson, L. , kelley, S. , Trulove, P. , Fox, D. and Kadla, J. (2017), A Comparison of Quality of Dispersion of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Using Different Surfactants and Biomolecules, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

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Created February 19, 2017
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