Functionalization of carbon nanotubes by potassium permanganate assisted with phase transfer catalyst

An improved process is presented to functionalize carbon nanotubes by potassium permanganate with the help of phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The PTC helps to extract potassium permanganate from the solid phase to an organic solvent phase and improves the efficiency of nanotube oxidation. The higher reaction efficiency as well as mild reaction conditions leads to a higher yield of functional nanotube preparation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the functional groups attached to the nanotube surface. A preliminary comparison is given of the potassium permanganate oxidation of nanotubes with and without PTC. This method is believed to be a potential economic method for large-scale functional nanotube preparation.