Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

FUNCTIONALIZATION OF SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES USING RF-PLASMA: THE ROLE OF DEFECTS IN SIDEWALL FUNCTIONALIZATION

JAYASINGHE, CHAMINDA

Abstract Details

2007, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Physics.
We used an inductive coupled RF-plasma (ICP) system at 13.56 MHz to modify single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using various gases. This technique can be easily used to tailor the chemical composition of carbon nanotubes by attaching a wide variety of functional groups to their surface. The treated nanotubes are characterized by different spectroscopic methods. The spectroscopic methods are Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). Also we include the results of thermoelectric power (TEP) measurements. The results of these characterization techniques are compared as a function of main plasma parameters such as electron temperature and ion density for various gases. We identify the nanotubes diameters using Raman spectroscopy and with these diameters we identify the n and m indices of the nanotubes in our HiPCO sample. Raman spectroscopy studies show that nanotubes have gained more disordered sp2 bonds (ID intensity) associated with functionalization, as the ion flux increases due to increasing the plasma pressure inside the system. For oxygen treated SWNTs, Raman spectroscopy of the Breit-Wigner-Fano (BWF) peak (~1522 cm-1) show a dramatic up shift for both the ~ 1522 cm-1 band and the ~1578 cm-1 band by nearly 20 cm-1. In addition, there is a considerable change in the appearance of the D’ mode (~1620 cm-1) with oxygen plasma treated SWNTs. The Raman spectra of hydrogen treated SWNTs show a much smaller D band peak than the oxygen treated SWNTs. We observe considerable increase in ID/IG intensity ratio for oxygen, hydrogen and argon treated SWNTs. From analysis of ID/IG ratios, we determine the in-plane coherence length (identify as L1 the planer projection of grapheme sheet) as a function of ion flux. The surface of the oxygen plasma treated SWNTs was analyzed by XPS. These results show that the O1s to C1s intensity ratio is considerably higher in oxygen treated SWNTs compared to hydrogen treated and pristine nanotubes. The TEP measurements confirm that these plasma treatments induce defects as well as add side wall functionalization to the SWNTs.
Dr. David Mast (Advisor)
77 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • JAYASINGHE, C. (2007). FUNCTIONALIZATION OF SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES USING RF-PLASMA: THE ROLE OF DEFECTS IN SIDEWALL FUNCTIONALIZATION [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1185999248

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • JAYASINGHE, CHAMINDA. FUNCTIONALIZATION OF SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES USING RF-PLASMA: THE ROLE OF DEFECTS IN SIDEWALL FUNCTIONALIZATION. 2007. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1185999248.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • JAYASINGHE, CHAMINDA. "FUNCTIONALIZATION OF SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES USING RF-PLASMA: THE ROLE OF DEFECTS IN SIDEWALL FUNCTIONALIZATION." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1185999248

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)