A magnetically responsive material of single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with magnetic ionic liquid

A magnetically responsive nanomaterial was prepared by covalent attachment of a magnetic ionic liquid (MIL), specifically 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium [FeCl4], to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Our magnetic-SWCNTs, based on molecular FeCl4- magnetic ion bound to cationic imidazolium which was covalently conjugated to the nanotubes, were found to have a strong magnetic response and be easily dispersed in an organic solvent, N-methyl pyrrolidone. MIL-based magnetic SWCNTs is superior to magnetic particle-based nanotubes since particles attached typically are much bigger than the nanoscale diameter of SWCNTs and are prone to aggregation, detachment and non-homogeneity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.