Chemical Oxidative Cutting of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Arrays with Electromagnetic Waves

Abstract

Shortened or end-opened carbon nanotubes (CNTs) showed various potential applications, such as dye-sensitized solar cells [1], DNA analysis [2], and so on[3]. Furthermore, good dispersion of short CNTs in a composite material is critical to minimize stress concentration at agglomerates and achieve optimal mechanical performance [4]. However; CNTs are long, entangled and insolubility which makes it difficult for such applications. Thus they must be cut or end-opened to operable lengths and so for dispersibility. To solve these issues, several methods of CNTs cutting have been reported. But, it is reported that methods are very complicated, energy-consuming and time-consuming [5]. In this study, we developed a facile, effective and controllable method to obtain shortened multi walled carbon nanotubes (SMWCNT) in a shorter time. Electromagnetic Waves treatment with mainly chemically oxidation was used for shortening and efficiently dispersing of Arrays multi-walled carbon nanotubes (A-MWCNTs).