Fast and clean functionalization of carbon nanotubes by dielectric barrier discharge plasma in air compared to acid treatment

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been functionalized by a dielectric barrier discharge plasma in air and compared to those functionalized in HNO3. The MWCNTs were prepared by chemical vapor deposition of xylene using ferrocene as a catalyst at 850 °C. Air oxidation followed by acid treatment was used to purify the MWCNTs, which were then annealed in helium. The MWCNTs were functionalized in air in a plasma reactor at room temperature. Quantitative analyses of gases evolved during the temperature programmed desorption of the functionalized nanotubes were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The influence of plasma parameters, including power in the range of 8–90 W and treatment time in the range of 1–9 min, on the number of the functional groups was investigated. It is shown that the extent of functionalization increases with increasing discharge power, provided that the exposure time of the MWCNTs in the plasma atmosphere does not exceed a certain period of time. Compared to acid treatment, plasma functionalization offers the advantages of much shorter treatment time, and produces less damage.