p-Hexafluoroisopropanol phenyl covalently functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for detection of nerve agents

Novel p-hexafluoroisopropanol phenyl (HFIPPH) covalently functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been prepared through in situ diazonium reaction between SWCNTs and p-hexafluoroisopropanol aniline; moreover, the hybridized material can be characterized by ultraviolet vision near infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that the one-dimensional electronic structures of the functionalized tubes could be basically maintained without damaging their electronic properties. Considered that strong hydrogen-bonding can be formed between hexafluoroisopropanol groups and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) (simulant of nerve agent sarin), the SWCNT-HFIPPH sensing devices have been fabricated and employed to detect DMMP. Excellent sensitivity and selectivity of the hybridized SWCNT-HFIPPH devices suggest that it has great capability of detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents.