Reduced diameter distribution of single-wall carbon nanotubes by selective oxidation

Borowiak-Palen E; Pichler T; Liu X; Knupfer M; Graff A; Jost O; Pompe W; Kalenczuk RJ; Fink J

Chemical Physics Letters, Vol.363, No.5-6, 567-572, 2002

DOI10.1016/S0009-2614(02)01253-8 Export Citation

Reduced diameter distribution of single-wall carbon nanotubes by selective oxidation

Borowiak-Palen E, Pichler T, Liu X, Knupfer M, Graff A, Jost O, Pompe W, Kalenczuk RJ, Fink J

We report an easy way to narrow the diameter distribution of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) by oxidization treatments. Both a chemical treatment in 2 M HNO3 as well as oxidation in a reduced O-2 atmosphere lead to a selective burning of the narrower SWNT in bulk samples and to a diameter distribution which is smaller by a factor of two. This is a first important step towards a selective production of SWNT with a defined diameter on a bulk scale. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.