Sulfonitric Treatment of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Dispersibility in Water

In this study, Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were oxidized by a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid (V:V = 3:1) at 70 °C for 1, 2, and 4 h, respectively. The oxidized MWCNTs were characterized by N(2) adsorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy to determine the oxidation degree. The dispersion of the MWCNTs was investigated by UV-vis-NIR, SEM, and dynamic light scattering measurements. Results show that sulfonitric treatment increased the surface area and total pore volume and reduced the average pore diameter of MWCNTs. The treatment promoted the formation of oxidized species on the surface MWCNTs, as identified by FT-IR, TGA, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, and more oxygen-containing functional groups were generated when treatment time was extended. Moreover, a general relationship between oxidation degree and dispersibility of MWCNTs in water was established. UV-vis-NIR and dynamic light scattering measurements and SEM images revealed that MWCNTs with higher oxidation degree showed better dispersibility in water.