Detection of nitrification in amine modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes by TOF-SIMS ion imaging

Abstract

Nitrification of multiwalled carbon nano tubes (MWCNT) by mild oxidation with nitric acid has been reported. These acid functionalized tubes have been further refluxed with thionyl chloride leading to addition of amide groups followed by aromatic di-amine treatment. Formation of such nitrated material have been initially confirmed by SEM, HR-TEM, Raman and Infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Such nitration are further cross-checked and confirmed using Time of Flight Secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) based ion imaging, which revealed presence of different nitrogen related groups. TOF-SIMS also detected traces of some of the residues and impurities created during the process steps.