The Effect of Oxidants on the Formation of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Buckypaper

In the present study, we report the systematic investigation of the effect of chemical oxidation on the structure of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes buckypaper. The chemical oxidation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes was performed via using three types of chemical solutions: nitric acid, sulfuric acid/nitric acid (3/1) and ammonium hydroxide/hydrogen peroxide (1/1). The surfaces of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes were modified by forming Carboxyl and other functional groups. Flexible multi-walled carbon nanotubes buckypapers were then produced by vacuum filtration techniques from functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The characteristic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes specimens were investigated via Raman, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopies. The thermal properties and morphology of multi-walled carbon nanotubes were also studied byThermogravimetric Analysis and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques.