Spectroscopic Investigation of Modified Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT)

We have investigated the effects of chemical treatment on Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) before and after being modified with HNO3/H2SO4 by Raman, FTIR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The results show successful carboxylation of the CNT sidewalls as observed from FTIR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. This successful functionalization is achieved in 6-8 hrs of refluxing. We also report changes in the first and second order Raman spectra of SWNTs functionalized with oxygenated groups. During the experiment, we observe some important Raman features: Radial breathing mode (RBM), Tangential mode (G-band), and Disordered mode (D-band); which are affected due to the chemical oxidation of carbon nanotubes. We found that the ratio of D- to the G-band intensity (Id/Ig), increase after functionalization and the RBM mode in acid treated SWCNTs is almost disappeared.