Ultrasonic dispersions of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The nature of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-solvent interaction that is responsible for the stabilization of ultrasonicated dispersions was investigated using various techniques. It was found that the sonochemical decomposition and polymerization of o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) is necessary for the stabilization of SWNTs in ODCB. The rate of decomposition of ODCB was shown to be dependent on the shape of the sonication vessel. The decomposition products of sonicated ODCB interact irreversibly with SWNTs. Under similar sonication conditions, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) did not induce discernible modification of the near infrared spectrum of the dispersed SWNTs.