Effect of Surface Oxidation on the Colloidal Stability and Sorption Properties of Carbon Nanotubes

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

CBET-0731147 William Ball Johns Hopkins University Effect of Surface Oxidation on the Colloidal Stability and Sorption Properties of Carbon Nanotubes This project will characterize relationships between the surface composition and colloidal stability of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and their sorption properties in aquatic environments. Such information is critically important for the development of models to predict the transport properties and environmental impacts of CNTs and related hierarchical nanostructures. The project also will develop analytical techniques to characterize the surface properties of black carbon materials, providing quantitative information on the concentration of oxygen and the distribution of surface-bound oxygen-containing functional groups produced on CNTs exposed to different oxidizing conditions. Sorption studies will provide a database that can be used to compare and contrast CNT properties with more traditional, well-studied black carbon (BC) sorbents such as soots, chars and activated carbons.