The separation of carbon nanotubes from chlorides

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by molten chloride electrolysis, resulting in the suspension of CNTs in the molten chloride. After the chloride was cooled down to room temperature it was dissolved in water. As a result of this investigation, ethyl acetate was found to be the most efficient extracting agent, which was able to extract more than 90% of CNTs from the aqueous salt solution within 5 s. After additional seven washing cycles by water and evaporating the remaining ethyl acetate–water solution, pure CNTs were obtained, i.e. their separation from the chloride phase was complete.