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Functionalizing single-walled carbon nanotube networks: effect on electrical and electrochemical properties

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Dumitrescu, Ioana, Wilson, Neil R. and Macpherson, Julie V. (2007) Functionalizing single-walled carbon nanotube networks: effect on electrical and electrochemical properties. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Vol.111 (No.35). pp. 12944-12953. doi:10.1021/jp067256x

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp067256x

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Abstract

Chemical functionalization is an important aspect of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) research, of interest to many proposed applications of SWNTs, including electrical and electrochemical sensing. In this study, the effects of two common in situ treatments on the electrochemical and solution conductance properties of SWNTs are assessed. The first is acid reflux, used for the purification of SWNTs and a common first step toward chemical functionalization of SWNTs. The second is an air plasma treatment, compatible with microfabrication processing. Rather than studying bulk quantities and using bulk analysis techniques, we investigate two-dimensional networks of individual SWNTs grown on an insulating substrate, enabling the effects of the treatments to be investigated at the level of individual SWNTs, as well as ensemble average behavior. The SWNTs are grown using catalyzed chemical vapor deposition, and electrical, electrochemical, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and micro-Raman analysis are performed before and after applying the treatments. It is found that the major effect of the acid treatment is cutting of the SWNTs followed by gradual etching at the cut ends. Micro-Raman spectroscopy indicates preferential oxidative attack at the metallic SWNTs and minimal damage to the sidewalls. In contrast, plasma treatment does not affect the morphology of the SWNTs. Raman microscopy indicates a dramatic change in SWNT electronic structure, with a possible increase in sp(3)-hybridized carbon. Both treatments have a negligible effect on the voltammetric response of a simple outer-sphere electron-transfer redox process, Ru(NH3)(6)(3+/2+). However, both acid reflux and air plasma treatment enhance the electron-transfer kinetics for the oxidation of inner-sphere dopamine. In both cases this is likely due to the creation of defect sites. A key result of these studies is the strong correlation between increasing functionalization (with a view to increasing chemical sensitivity) and decreasing conductivity, which is an important consideration for electrical and electrochemical applications. It is clear that a balance must be struck between the two to enhance the performance of a SWNT device.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
T Technology
T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Chemistry
Faculty of Science > Physics
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Publisher: American Chemical Society
ISSN: 1932-7447
Official Date: 6 September 2007
Dates:
DateEvent
6 September 2007Published
Volume: Vol.111
Number: No.35
Number of Pages: 10
Page Range: pp. 12944-12953
DOI: 10.1021/jp067256x
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder: EPSRC, Royal Society, University of Warwick
Grant number: EP/C518268/1; University Research Fellowship; Postgraduate Fellowship Award

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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