The solubility of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) polyelectrolytes [K(THF)]nSWCNT in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was determined by a combination of centrifugation, UV�vis spectral properties, and solution extraction. The SWCNT polyelectrolyte solution formed a liquid crystal at a concentration above 3.8 mg/mL. Also, crown ether 18-crown-6 was found to increase the solubility of the SWCNT polyelectrolytes in DMSO. Raman spectroscopy and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence analyses were applied to study the functionalization of SWCNTs. Small-diameter SWCNTs were found to be preferentially functionalized when the SWCNT polyelectrolytes were dispersed in DMSO.What's more, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) fibers were spun from a mixture of crown ether and single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolyte in DMSO into aqueous solutions. The polyelectrolyte DMSO solutions prepared present concentrations as high as 52 mg/mL and showed liquid crystalline behavior under polarized optical microscopy. The fibers produced showed a tensile strength of up to 123.8�8.9 MPa and a Young's modulus 14.2�1.7 GPa. These are the first neat SWCNT fibers made from SWCNT polyelectrolytes (i. e., not forming composites with polymers) and they show mechanical properties comparable to SWCNT fibers from superacids. Conductivities in the order of 104 S/m were obtained with the best values for iodine doped fibers.

Increased solubility, liquid-crystalline phase, and selective functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolyte dispersions and manufacture of neat carbon nanotube fibers

247th National Meeting (2014)

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