Fluorination of single walled carbon nanotubes at low temperature: Towards the reversible fluorine storage into carbon nanotubes

Fluorination of single walled carbon nanotubes was carried out at low temperature in the −191/25 °C range under 1 atm pure fluorine gas. In such conditions, the resulting C–F bonding is significantly weaker than for samples fluorinated at 280 °C. If the fluorination is performed at low temperature, fluorine atoms can be then removed from the host structure by moderated heating until 300 °C or by vacuum without strong damage on the tubes. After thermal defluorination, the resulting sample can be refluorinated similarly than the pristine tubes.

When the fluorination of SWCNTs is carried out with 1 atm pure F2 gas at low temperature (−191/25 °C), the treatment is reversible.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
• Fluorination of single walled carbon nanotubes was carried out at low temperature in the −191/25 °C range under 1 atm pure fluorine gas.
• In such operating conditions, fluorination–defluorination cycle results in weak damage in the nanotubes because of the unusually weak C–F bonding.
• Reversible fluorination occurs and is promising for fluorine storage.