SWNT "Superpowers" have energy applications

FUEL 234

Donna J. Nelson, djnelson@ou.edu1, Heather L. Rhoads, hrhoads@ou.edu1, and Christopher N. Brammer2. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, (2) School of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) "super-powers" include the following: they are ~50 times stronger than steel, have ~1000 times the electron density of copper, and withstand 5072*F in a vacuum. These "super-powers" can be utilized for energy applications such as solar cells, super capacitors, hydrogen storage, and electrochemical devices. We converted pristine SWNTs to 4-chlorophenyl-SWNTs 1 via treatment with 4-chlorophenylamine and isoamylnitrite. Subsequently, we converted 1 to 4-mercaptophenyl-SWNTs by using ethyl thiolate 2. Products 1 and 2 were characterized by Raman, UV-Vis, IR, TGA, and 1H NMR. Our COSY, ROSEY, and NOESY 1H NMR of 1 are the first such spectra reported for a covalently sidewall-functionalized SWNT suspended in solution. We will reveal the results of our NMR studies of several functionalized SWNTs and their "super-powers".
 

Chemistry of Carbon Materials and Nanomaterials
8:30 AM-11:45 AM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 240/241, Oral

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Sci-Mix

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008