摘要
Several oxidants were examined for their abilities in opening carbon nanotube end caps. Up to 91% of carbon nanotubes were found to have at least one open end when treated by 0.2 M KMnO4/ 10% H2SO4 or 0.2 M KMnO4/ 0.2 M CrO3 aqueous solution at 100° C, 90 min. That is, σ82% of carbon nanotubes was converted to “nanostraws”. The morphologies of the processed carbon nanotubes reflect the relative strength of these oxidants. The mechanism of carbon nanotube end cap opening processes will be discussed.