Masters Theses

Abstract

"A range of methods for oxidation of CNT surfaces have been developed with varying success. A new sonochemical treatment method has recently been developed by Xing et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B 2004,108,19255] which yields a homogeneous, high-density oxidized CNT surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-IR), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry and settling speed measurements were used to characterize the oxidized surfaces at interval times of sonochemical treatment. Contained in this thesis are details and results of the XPS, Raman and ATR-IR spectroscopy investigations.

The XPS results showed that the CNT were populated with -C-O-/-C=O and -COO- groups along with weakly bound CO at longer treatment times. The integrated XPS C Is core level peak area ratios of the oxidized-to-graphitic C oxidation states, as well as the atom % oxygen from the O Is level, showed an increase in CNT oxidation (attributed to -COx) with increased sonication times from 1 to 8 h. The increase in C surface oxidation correlated well with the measured atom % oxygen. Most of the CNT surface oxidation occurred between 1 and 2 h.

ATR-IR and Raman spectroscopy studies supported the XPS results. Furthermore, it was additionally found that deposited Pt nanoparticles were attached to -C-O- and -C=0 binding sites, with the two hour treated CNTs becoming more evenly Pt loaded with respect to agglomeration and size variation"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Chusuei, Charles C.

Committee Member(s)

Woelk, Klaus
Xing, Yangchuan

Department(s)

Chemistry

Degree Name

M.S. in Chemistry

Sponsor(s)

Petroleum Research Fund
Foundation for Chemical Research
Missouri Research Board

Comments

Funding provided by the University of Missouri Research Board (1149), the American Chemical Society, the Petroleum Research Fund (39542-G2) and the Foundation for Chemical Research, Inc. is very much appreciated.

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 2006

Pagination

x, 59 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 53-58).

Rights

© 2006 Robert Victor Hull, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

CarbonElectron spectroscopyFourier transform infrared spectroscopyNanostructured materialsRaman spectroscopyTubes

Thesis Number

T 8953

Print OCLC #

82369324

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