Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction

Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction

This study delves into the distinctive selective property exhibited by a non-conjugated cholesterol-based polymer, poly(CEM<sub>11</sub>-<i>b</i>-EHA<sub>7</sub>), in sorting semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) within isooctane. Comprised of 1...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ahmad Al Shboul, Mohamed Siaj, Jerome Claverie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
cholesterol-based polymer
double liquid-phase extraction (DLPE)
direct liquid-phase exfoliation (DLPE)
partition
semiconducting
metallic
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/23
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Summary:This study delves into the distinctive selective property exhibited by a non-conjugated cholesterol-based polymer, poly(CEM<sub>11</sub>-<i>b</i>-EHA<sub>7</sub>), in sorting semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) within isooctane. Comprised of 11 repeating units of cholesteryloxycarbonyl-2-hydroxy methacrylate (CEM) and 7 repeating units of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), this non-conjugated polymer demonstrates robust supramolecular interactions across the sp<sup>2</sup> surface structure of carbon nanotubes and graphene. When coupled with the Double Liquid-Phase Extraction (DLPE) technology, the polymer effectively segregates s-SWCNTs into the isooctane phase (nonpolar) while excluding metallic SWCNTs (m-SWCNTs) in the water phase (polar). DLPE proves particularly efficient in partitioning larger-diameter s-SWCNTs (0.85–1.0 nm) compared to those dispersed directly in isooctane by poly(CEM<sub>11</sub>-<i>b</i>-EHA<sub>7</sub>) using direct liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) techniques for diameters ranging from 0.75 to 0.95 nm. The DLPE method, bolstered by poly(CEM<sub>11</sub>-<i>b</i>-EHA<sub>7</sub>), successfully eliminates impurities from s-SWCNT extraction, including residual metallic catalysts and carbonaceous substances, which constitute up to 20% of raw HiPCO SWCNTs. DLPE emerges as a scalable and straightforward approach for selectively extracting s-SWCNTs in nonpolar, low-boiling-point solvents like alkanes. These dispersions hold promise for fabricating fast-drying s-SWCNT inks, which are ideal for printed and flexible thin-film transistors.
ISSN:2079-4991

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