ORGN 350 |
| The unique mechanical and electronic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have found many applications in emerging nanotechnologies. However, the difficulties associated with CNT processing and manipulation due to the extremely poor solubility of CNTs greatly impeded their applications. Considerable efforts have thus been devoted to CNT covalent functionalization to improve their solubility and enhance compatibility in composite materials. Current CNT functionalization methods usually require harsh conditions, which are incompatible with a large number of functional groups. To further facilitate CNT functionalization and its applications, we recently developed a versatile, highly efficient and more accommodating zwitterion approach to functionalize CNTs (both single-walled and multi-walled) as well as fullerenes. This report details the scope of this newly developed approach. The application of functionalized CNTs in chemical sensing as well as preparation of composite materials containing covalently linked fullerenes or CNTs will also be discussed. |
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Materials, Devices, and Switches
1:00 PM-4:40 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- 258A, Oral
Division of Organic Chemistry |