Functionalization of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes by Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

The results of synthesis and characterization of single wall carbon nanotubes functionalized by hydroxyethyl cellulose have been presented. The properties of pristine and modified single wall carbon nanotubes have been compared by different techniques: thermo-gravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Raman analysis reveals that smaller amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose is required for functionalization of metallic single wall carbon nanotubes compared to semiconducting ones. FTIR analysis has shown the presence of hydroxyethyl groups which is strong evidence for nanotube modification.