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Separation of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube with Different Methods

Chen, Yusheng
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1377530212

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Chemistry.
Since their discovery, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have attracted much attention due to their superior mechanical and electronic properties that have led to their use in various applications. The electronic structure and optical properties of individual SWNT are uniquely dependent on the tube’s chirality and diameter. In the as-prepared sample, tubes are generally produced as a complex mixture containing many different chiral species. Selective enrichment and separation of SWNTs will play a vital role in the realization of the potential application of SWNTs. Separation of different types of SWNTs, however, remains one of the fundamental and challenging issues in nano science. In this dissertation, several approaches have been examined to separate SWNTs, which are based on different molecular interaction with nanotubes, nanotube aggregation and chromatography. Among the polymers examined are water soluble poly[(m-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(p-phenylenevinylene)] (PmPV), poly[(phenyleneethynylene)-co-poly(phenylenevinylene)] (PPE-PPV), and water soluble poly[(m-phenyleneethynylene)-alt-(p-phenyleneethynylene)] (PPE). Arising from the bent angle from m-phenylene, these polymers can form helical conformation to facilitate an intimate interaction between polymer chains and SWNTs. With unsymmetrical side groups, water soluble PmPV demonstrates that the polymer helical conformation can be controlled to sort the SWNTs by their diameters. Introduction of rotatable phenylenethynylene (PE) on the backbone allows polymer PPE-PPV quickly adjust the conformation for interaction with the SWNTs of a suitable diameter, which leads to the large diameter selectivity. The study of water soluble PPE polymer also reveals the intriguing selectivity toward tube (6,5), illustrating the impact of the carbon-carbon triple bonds on the SWNT selectivity. The nanotubes from SWNTs/polymers dispersion tends to form aggregation. Analysis of the aggregate SWNTs shows that the sample contains enriched semiconducting SWNTs. In addition, the SWNTs are found to form aligned bundles. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is found to exhibit selective interaction with semiconducting SWNTs. By using this property, a PEI/cellulose column chromatography can be used to separate a blue solution from the raw HiPCO SWNTs. Analysis by Raman, 2D fluorescence and UV-vis-NIR absorption spectra suggests that the isolated blue solution is pure metallic SWNTs. By changing eluent, this PEI/cellulose column chromatography appears to be capable of separating different SWNT species with single chirality. Cationic surfactant, like benzyltrimethylammonium chloride also shows an affinity towards semiconducting SWNTs, in contrast to the little selectivity of anionic surfactant.
Yi Pang, Dr. (Advisor)
Michael Taschner, Dr. (Committee Member)
Claire Tessier, Dr. (Committee Member)
Thomas Leeper, Dr. (Committee Member)
Jie Zheng, Dr. (Committee Member)
155 p.
Chemistry
single walled carbon nanotube, separation, polymer, chromatography

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Chen, Y. (2013). Separation of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube with Different Methods [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1377530212

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Chen, Yusheng. Separation of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube with Different Methods . 2013. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1377530212.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Chen, Yusheng. "Separation of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube with Different Methods ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1377530212

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1377530212
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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.