Simple and highly efficient direct thiolation of the surface of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We established a highly efficient and simple method to directly functionalize the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with thiol groups (–SH). The –SH groups on the surface of the CNTs were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis (EA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM indicated that gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) or other metals can be attached to thiolated CNTs (CNT–SHs) through thiol–metal bonding. Hence, the proposed approach can be used for developing self-assembled materials, sensors, catalysts, and CNT nanodevices.