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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2024-12-01
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| author | Ahmad Al Shboul Mohamed Siaj Jerome Claverie |
| author_facet | Ahmad Al Shboul Mohamed Siaj Jerome Claverie |
| author_sort | Ahmad Al Shboul |
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| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-1dd266ee2e0d4797976986f4b37012d72025-01-10T13:19:17ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-12-011512310.3390/nano15010023Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase ExtractionAhmad Al Shboul0Mohamed Siaj1Jerome Claverie2Department of Electrical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure ÉTS, 1100 Notre-Dame St. W, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, CanadaDepartment of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, 2500, Boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, CanadaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Sherbrooke, 2500, Blvd de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, CanadaThis 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/23cholesterol-based polymerdouble liquid-phase extraction (DLPE)direct liquid-phase exfoliation (DLPE)partitionsemiconductingmetallic |
| spellingShingle | Ahmad Al Shboul Mohamed Siaj Jerome Claverie Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction Nanomaterials cholesterol-based polymer double liquid-phase extraction (DLPE) direct liquid-phase exfoliation (DLPE) partition semiconducting metallic |
| title | Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction |
| title_full | Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction |
| title_fullStr | Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction |
| title_short | Separation of Highly Pure Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alkane Solvents via Double Liquid-Phase Extraction |
| title_sort | separation of highly pure semiconducting single wall carbon nanotubes in alkane solvents via double liquid phase extraction |
| topic | cholesterol-based polymer double liquid-phase extraction (DLPE) direct liquid-phase exfoliation (DLPE) partition semiconducting metallic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/23 |
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