Measurement of functionalised carbon nanotube carboxylic acid groups using a simple chemical process

Chemically functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes were formed using sonication in a mixture of concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids for varying lengths of time which resulted in carboxylic acid group functionalisation, predominantly at the ends. The carboxylic acid groups were used to form an ionic bond with dodecylamine. The weight of this complex was used to monitor the number of carboxylic acid groups present in the cut SWNT.