Characterization of surface modified carbon nanoparticles by low temperature plasma treatment

The carbon nanoparticles derived from polypyrrole were treated with oxygen and ammonia radio-frequency plasma. Micro-attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared, element analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were performed to confirm the incorporation of polar functional groups onto the carbon nanoparticles. Moreover, the morphology of plasma treated carbon nanoparticles was retained without nanoparticle aggregation. The plasma treated carbon nanoparticles exhibited the enhanced dispersibility in aqueous solution, compared to the pristine carbon nanoparticles.