An electrochemical avenue to blue luminescent nanocrystals from multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)

Blue luminescent nanocrystals (NCs) were prepared electrochemically from multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the first time. The carbon NCs were characterized by UV-vis, photoluminescence, Raman, XRD spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The structure evolution of the MWCNTs during electrochemical treatments was monitored by SEM ex situ. Since the MWCNTs were formed with scrolled graphene layers, we propose that tetrabutyl ammonium (TBA) cations most probably intercalate into the gaps and the defects during electrochemical cycling and break the tubes near the defects.