Solution phase encapsulation of fullerene[C60] in carbon nanotubes: Formation of fullerene peapods

CHED 337

Eman Abureida Akam, eab24@unh.edu and Glen P Miller. Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824
Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and Double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) have large internal spaces where molecules can be introduced by de-capping. In this study, previously conducted hydrogenation reactions of higher boiling amines with SWNTs have been utilized to assist in the opening of different types of carbon nanotubes and formation of fullerene peapods. This solution phase method of hydrogenation (with either diethylene triamine or triethylene tetraamine) is used with both double and single walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) with the presence of fullerene[C60] under conventional and microwave heating in an attempt to synthesize fullerene peapods (C60@SWNT and C60@DWNT). The products of the reactions conducted were analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Thermogravimetic Analysis (TGA), with many indications for the formation of the desired products.