Oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanocones: a DFT study

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes and nanocones functionalized with polar organic groups can be better dispersed in polar biological fluids, such as the blood stream and, thus, have been considered as promising drug carrier agents. To explore drug-carrying ability and other properties for practical use, molecular modeling can aid the experimental studies by providing the structure and electronic properties of interest for idealized molecular systems. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) was used to investigate molecular features of oxidized carbon nanotube and nanocone models. We evaluated the role of the size of vacancies formed due to the oxidation in the stability of the nanostructures. Raman and IR spectra were collected and assigned for the preferred oxidized models.