In situ chemical experiments in carbon nanotubes.pdf

Chemical Physics Letters 365 (2002) 354–360 /locate/cplett In situ chemical experiments in carbon nanotubes Y. Gogotsi *, N. Naguib, J.A. Libera 1 Materials Engineering Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Received 6May 2002; in final form 20 August 2002 Abstract Understanding the interaction of water-based liquids with carbon at the nanoscale is very important for exploring the potential of carbon nanotubes in nanofluidic chips, probes, and capsules for drug delivery. By using hydrothermal synthesis, we produced closed hydrophilic multiwall carbon nanotubes filled with aqueous fluid. They allow for the first time high-resolution in situ studies of an interface between fluid and carbon in TEM. Strong interaction between the liquid and walls, intercalation of nanotubes with O–H species and dissolution of walls upon heating have been dem- onstrated. Thermodynamics simulation was used to explain the interaction of nanotubes with fluid. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction This can limit the use of carbon nanotubes for transport of aqueous fluids. Experimental in situ Novel carbon-based materials and structures studies are required to understand the interactions are seen today as key in the implementation of between the water-based fluid and the tube walls. nanotechnology. Carbon nanotubes are among the Most of previous work on the interactions be- most exciting new materials being investigated and tween sol