Photo-induced Aggregation of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes from Dispersion by Using a Photochromic Dispersant

April 9, 2020

Title

Photo-induced Aggregation of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes from Dispersion by Using a Photochromic Dispersant

Author

Yuki Seki, Kazuki Matsunaga, Yuting Ke, Toma Takebayashi, Masaya Ninoyu, Keiju Kakugawa, Vannajan Sanghiran Lee, Shigeru Takahara

Year

2019

Journal

Journal of Photopolymer Science and Technology

Abstract

Dipropylheterocoerdianthrone (DPHCD) was found to be a potential photo-reactive dispersant of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). DPHCD was able to well disperse SWNTs in chloroform. DPHCD is easily photo-oxidized by the irradiation of visible light to form the endoperoxide with a bent structure under oxygen or air atmosphere. Then, SWNTs were photo-precipitated from the DPHCD/SWNTs dispersion. The precipitation was able to disperse again after the photochromic reaction to turn back DPHCD from the endoperoxide and sonication. Such photo-induced precipitation was also observed in DPHCD/SWNTs complex film. The SWNTs precipitates were analyzed by FT-IR and Raman spectra measurements, and discussed about selectivity of DPHCD on chirality, and elimination of the dispersant.

Instrument

RMP-510

Keywords

Probe Raman, Aggregation, Photochromism, Singlet oxygen, Endoperoxide, Carbon nanotube, π-π stacking, Functional dispersant