Efficient Chemical Modification of Carbon Nanotubes with Metallacarboranes

Abstract

As-produced single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) tend to aggregate in bundles due to π-π interactions. Several approaches are nowadays available to debundle, at least partially, the nanotubes through surface modification by both covalent and noncovalent approaches. Herein, we explore different strategies to afford an efficient covalent functionalization of SWCNTs with cobaltabisdicarbollide anions. Aberration-corrected HRTEM analysis reveals the presence of metallacarboranes along the walls of the SWCNTs. This new family of materials presents an outstanding water dispersibility that facilitates its processability for potential applications.

Keywords: HRTEM; boron hybrids; carbon nanotubes; carboranes; metallacarboranes.