Efficient cycloaddition of arynes to carbon nanotubes under microwave irradiation

The functionalization of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) by cycloaddition reactions with arynes under microwave irradiation has been studied. The efficiency of the functionalization was monitored by XPS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, TGA and HR-TEM. All experimental results point to the formation of SWCNT with a high degree of functionalization, with mass increases ranging from 6.4% to 15.1% depending on the aryne substitution.