Abstract
Abstract This study is working on the two-parts modification of carbon nanotubes(CNTs). (I) Non-covalent (II) Covalent modification (I) Pyrene derivatives attach to the surface of CNTs via physisorption, which is the result of a π-π stacking interaction between the pyrene moiety and the CNTs sidewall. We present a simple self-assembly technique to fabricate robust CNTs thin films on glass surface. By employing a cross-linking reagent such as DIC, between the CNT-pyrene complex and the APTES-modified glass substrate with amino groups, it leads to the formation of a strong bonding between CNTs thin films and glass substrate. Characterization by AFM and SEM reveal the morphology of the thin films. The best RMS roughness of our sample is 21.3 nm, which has significant difference compared to the one without APTES-treatment (211nm). We also used water jet to test the interfacial adhesion of the sample and found that the films treated with APTES were robust. Our results on smooth and robust CNTs thin films that show promising potential in industrial applications. (II) We obtained sidewall functionalized CNTs after radical reacted with 4-azidoaniline hydrochloride by UV source. Modified CNTs were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization with three different monomers. It was found that the dispersion stability of modified CNTs were significantly improved compared to those of the raw SWCNTs. We used FTIR, XPS and Raman spectra to explain the bonding and quality of modified CNTs. Characterized by TGA and four-point probe to discuss the thermal and electrical properties of modified CNTs.