Functionalization of SWCNTs: Impact on Tensile Properties and Morphology of CNT-Paper

摘要

Carbon nanotube papers prepared from chemically functionalized SWCNTs are investigated for their mechanical tensile properties. The Young's moduli are found to be unaffected by the functionalization with diazonium salts of aniline or aromatic monoand bis-amides. Tensile strengths of CNT papers, however, are found to increase with increasing degree of functionalization, and more pronouncedly with increasing number of amide groups capable of hydrogen bonding. The importance of hydrogen bonding becomes evident after its inhibition through N-methylation of the amide groups, resulting in a distinct reduction of strength values. SEM analysis indicates that a high degree of functionalization or a high number of amide groups results in the formation of domains with aligned CNTs.