Photochemical transformation of nanomaterials released into environmental waters is likely to influence their ultimate fate and persistence. To this end, we have examined the photochemical reactivity of carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in aqueous media, and comparing their reactivity under sunlight and UVC (? = 254 nm) light. Materials examined include (i) carboxylated single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-COOH) from Carbon Solutions; (ii) pristine SWNT from Southwest Nanotechnologies, which contain a high fraction of semiconducting (6,5) chiral tubes (SG65); (iii) partially oxidized (by acid-treatment) SG65 SWNTs and multi-walled CNTs from Nanolabs; and (iv) SWNTs functionalized with polyethylene oxide (SWNT-PEG) from Carbon Solutions. How functionalization affects photochemical reactivity will be reported, including changes in Raman, FTIR, and XPS spectra, TEM images, as well as generation and production rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS).  In all experiments, ROS was detected by using molecular probes for singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anion (O2.-), and hydroxyl radial (�OH).

Sunlight and UVC mediated reactions of carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.