Fluorination of single walled carbon nanotubes at low temperature: Towards the reversible fluorine storage into carbon nanotubes

Fluorination of single walled carbon nanotubes was carried out at low temperature in the −191/25 °C range under 1 atm pure fluorine gas. In such conditions, the resulting C–F bonding is significantly weaker than for samples fluorinated at 280 °C. If the fluorination is performed at low temperature, fluorine atoms can be then removed from the host structure by moderated heating until 300 °C or by vacuum without strong damage on the tubes. After thermal defluorination, the resulting sample can be refluorinated similarly than the pristine tubes.

Graphical abstractWhen the fluorination of SWCNTs is carried out with 1 atm pure F2 gas at low temperature (−191/25 °C), the treatment is reversible.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights• Fluorination of single walled carbon nanotubes was carried out at low temperature in the −191/25 °C range under 1 atm pure fluorine gas. • In such operating conditions, fluorination–defluorination cycle results in weak damage in the nanotubes because of the unusually weak C–F bonding. • Reversible fluorination occurs and is promising for fluorine storage.