Carbon nanotubols from mechanochemical reaction

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can react with potassium hydroxide through a simple solid-phase mechanochemical reaction at room temperature to produce single-walled carbon nanotubols (SWNTols) - multiple hydroxyl groups direct-modified SWNTs. The SWNTols are highly soluble in water and can be readily self-assembled into aligned arrays through strong surface hydrogen bond interactions.