Evaluation of dispersants for dispersing/solubilizing purified HiPco SWNTs in aqueous medium via vis-NIR spectrophotometry method

摘要

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dispersants for dispersing/solubilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in aqueous medium, and screen appropriate dispersants for the application of Nano Risk evaluation. A modified ultrasonication method with the aid of glass balls was used to disperse purified HiPco SWNTs in aqueous solutions containing various dispersants. The resultant SWNTs dispersions were characterized with UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer, optical microscope, and TEM, and it was revealed that the SWNTs dispersions contained mainly single tubes or small bundles. Three dispersants (Sodium deoxycholate, Cremophor RH60, and vitamin E TPGS) were screened out from 14 candidate dispersants. It was concluded that UV-vis-NIR is a simple and useful method for evaluating the effectiveness of SWNTs dispersants.