Synthesis and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with octadecylamine and polyethylene glycol

Abstract

Chemical modification of MWCNTs via oxidation followed by side wall functionalization using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and octadecylamine (ODA); separately, was studied. Different characterization techniques such as FTIR spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and solubility in different solvents were performed for the oxidized MWCNTs, MWCNTs-PEG and MWCNTs-ODA. The characterization techniques proved the presence of the functional groups on the MWCNT surface. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that nearly 16% (by weight) of the MWCNTs were functionalized with PEG and 39% (by weight) was functionalized with ODA.