Atomic-level investigation of fluorinated single-wall carbon nanotubes

There is a great deal of interest in the functionalization, in particular fluorination, of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for the purposes of solvation and subsequent chemical reaction. Towards this end, this thesis reports the investigation of fluorinated SWNTs (fluorotubes) performed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). This research was performed for various compositions of fluorinated nanotubes. In addition, the atomic-scale fluorine coverage on the fluorotubes with composition was observed as a function of annealing temperature. Upon heating of the fluorotubes, we observe the subsequent desorption of the fluorine initiated around 240°C. At higher temperatures all the fluorine desorbs from the tubes revealing a few "defects" still remaining. Further heating leads to cutting of the fluorotubes which we believe is initiated at these defect locations. Through these studies we gain important information on the local chemistry as well as the electronic structure of the functionalized carbon nanotubes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Takhar, Dharmpal

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kelly, Kevin F.

• Electronics
• Electrical engineering

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17834

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/17834