The synthesis and characterization of carbon nano-onions produced by solution ozonolysis

The room temperature oxidation of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) with ozone was investigated. The reaction was performed under mild conditions and oxidized products with high concentrations of oxygen-containing functional groups were obtained. The reaction products were characterized by Boehm titrations, additional oxidant/reductant treatments, and Raman and DRIFTS FT-IR spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies indicate changes in the surface chemistry of ozonized CNOs (oz-CNOs), exhibiting a larger total surface area and pore structure, which enables efficient accumulation of charge in the oz-CNOs film.