Purified oxygenand nitrogen-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes as metal-free catalysts for selective olefin hydrogenation

Oxygen and nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanotubes （OCNTs and NCNTs） were applied as metal-free catalysts in selective olefin hydro- genation. A series of NCNTs was synthesized by NH3 post-treatment of OCNTs. Temperature-programmed desorption, N2 physisorption, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the surface properties of OCNTs and NCNTs, aiming at a detailed analysis of the type and amount of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing groups as well as surface defects. The gas-phase treatments applied for oxygen and nitrogen functionalization at elevated temperatures up to 600 ℃ led to the increase of surface defects, but did not cause structural damages in the bulk. NCNTs showed a clearly higher activity than the pristine CNTs and OCNTs in the hydrogenation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene, and also the selectivity to cyclooctene was higher. The favorable catalytic properties are ascribed to the nitrogen-containing surface functional groups as well as surface defects related to nitrogen species. In contrast, oxygen-containing surface groups and the surface defects caused by oxygen species did not show clear contribution to the hydrogenation catalysis.

Pyrolyzed Iron Phthalocyanine-Modified Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Composite Anode in Marine Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells and Its Electrochemical Performance

Improving the performance of anode is a crucial step for increasing output power of marine sediment microbial fuel cells(MSMFCs)to drive marine monitor to work for a long term on the ocean floor.A pyrolyzed iron phthalocyanine modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite(FePc/MWCNTs)has been utilized as a novel nodified anode in the MSMFC.Its structure of the composite modified anode and electrochemical performance have been investigated respectively in the paper.There is a substantial improvement in electron-transfer efficiency from the bacteria biofilm to the modified anode via the pyrolyzed FePc/MWCNTs composite based on their cyclic voltammetry(CV)and Tafel curves.The electron transfer kinetic activity of the FePc/MWCNTs-modified anode is 1.86 times higher than of the unmodified anode.The maximum power density of the modified MSMFC was 572.3±14 m W m^-2,which is 2.6 times larger than the unmodified one(218.3±11 m W m^-2).The anodic structure and cell scale would be greatly minimized to obtain the same output power by the modified MSMFC,so that it will make the MSMFC to be easily deployed on the remote ocean floor.Therefore,it would have a great significance for us to design a novel and renewable long term power source.Finally,a novel molecular synergetic mechanism is proposed to elucidate its excellent electrochemical performance.

Abnormal magnetic behavior of prussian blue analogs modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

This work examines the origin of the abnormal magnetism exhibited by Cu Mn Fe-PBAs modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs).The system of Cu Mn Fe-PBAs@MWCNTs coexists with both large and small clusters.Cu Mn Fe-PBAs clusters have an average particle size of 28 nm,and some of the smaller particles are adsorbed on the surface of MWCNTs.Surprisingly,the magnitude of magnetization increases linearly with decreasing temperature.When above the Curie temperature,the magnitude of magnetization is significantly greater than that of PBAs without being modified.This phenomenon can be attributed to magnetostatic interactions between ultra-fine magnetic nanoparticles adsorbed on the surface of MWCNTs.Using the Monte Carlo method,we simulated the magnetostatic interaction of cylindrical adsorbed particles,and the simulation results are almost identical to those observed experimentally.The results indicate that 0.089Cu Mn Fe-PBAs clusters per 1 nm^(2)can be adsorbed onto the surface area of MWCNTs.We demonstrate that MWCNTs adsorbing magnetic particles exhibit magnetic behavior,and suggest a method for producing ultrafine materials.It also introduces a new method of calculating the adsorption efficiency of carbon nanotubes,offering theoretical guidance for future research on nanomaterials with enhanced adsorption efficiency.

Ultrasensitive electrochemical determination of metronidazole based on polydopamine/carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites modified GCE

An ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor based on polydopamine/carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs à COOH) nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode(GCE) was presented in this work, which has been developed for highly selective and highly sensitive determination of an antimicrobial drug, metronidazole. The preparation of polydopamine/MWCNTs–COOH nanocomposites/GCE sensor is simple and possesses high reproducible, where polydopamine can be coated on the surface of MWCNTs–COOH via a simple electropolymerization process. Under optimized conditions, the proposed sensor showed ultrasensitive determination for metronidazole with a wide linear detection range from5 to 5000 mmol/dm^3 and a low detection limit of 0.25 mmol/dm^3(S/N=3). Moreover, the proposed sensor has been successfully applied for the quantitative determination of metronidazole in real drug samples. This work may provide a novel and effective analytical platform for determination of metronidazole in application of real pharmaceutical and biological samples analysis.

Glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes sensor for the quantihication of antihistamine drug pheniramine in solubilized systems

A sensitive electroanalytical method for quantification of pheniramine in pharmaceutical formulation has been investigated on the basis of the enhanced electrochemical response at glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate.The experimental results suggest that the phcniramine in anionic surfactant solution exhibits electrocatalytic effect resulting in a marked enhancement of the peak current response.Peak current response is linearly dependent on the concentration of pheniramine in the range 200-1500 μg/mL with correlation coefficient 0.9987.The limit of detection is 58.31 μg/m L.The modified electrode shows good sensitivity and repeatability.

Removal of diclofenac from aqueous solution with multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by nitric acid

Modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) were used as adsorbents for removal of diclofenac. The reaction conditions were examined. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models were applied to determine appropriate equilibrium expression. The results show that the experimental data fit the Freundlich equation well. Thermodynamic parameters show that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic. The kinetic study indicates that the adsorption of diclofenac can be well described with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the process is controlled by multiple steps.

Voltammetric Determination of Vitamin B6 at Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Gold Nanoparticles and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

In this work, the gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the assemble process of the composite film. In pH 7.0 PBS, a oxidation peak of the vitamin B6 (VB6) was only observed at composite film modified electrode. Under the optimized conditions, the current intensity was linear with the concentrations of VB6 in the range of 1.59 to 102.74 μg●mL–1 with a detection limit of 0.53 μg●mL–1 (S/N = 3). The modified electrode had been applied in medication analysis, and obtained good results.

Voltammetric Method Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Determination of Terbutaline Sulfate in Pork Sample

Electrochemical properties of terbutaline sulfate (TBS) at the glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were explored by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The response was evaluated with respect to pH, scan rate and other variables. Some electrochemical parameters, such as the charge number and proton number, were calculated. The results indicated that TBS underwent irreversible oxidation at the modified electrode, which was an adsorption-controlled process with two protons and two electrons. The reductive peak current of TBS significantly increased and the peak potential shifted negatively at the modified electrode, thus resulting in an electrode for TBS. The current was proportional to the concentration of TBS over 1.12 and 141 μM with a detection limit of 0.34 μM (at S/N = 3). The modified electrode showed good sensitivity, selectivity and stability for the determination of TBS in pork sample.

Determination of 6-Mercaptopurine in Rat Blood by Microdialysis Coupled with High Performance Liquid Chromatography on a Functionalized Multi-wall Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode

A new chemically modified electrode(CME) immobilized on the surface of multi-wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxylic groups was fabricated. The results indicate that the CME exhibits efficiently electrocatalytic oxidation of 6-mercaptopurine(6-MP). The CME can be used as the working electrode in the liquid chromatography for the determination of 6-MP. The peak current of 6-MP is linearly changed with its concentration ranging from 4.0×10 -7 to 1.0×10 -4 mol/L with the calculated detection limit (S/N=3) of 2.0×10 -7 mol/L. Coupled with microdialysis sampling, the method has been successfully applied to assessing the content of 6-MP in rat blood.

Preparation and Surface Modification of High-Density Chitosan/Functionalized Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Hollow Fibers

Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes( fMWNTs) were prepared with chitosan via controlled surface deposition and crosslinking process and scanning electron microscopy( SEM),Fourier translation infrared spectroscopy( FT-IR) and Xray diffraction( XRD) are used to character properties. A novel high-density chitosan( HCS) was dissolved in f-MWNTs dispersed dilute acetic acid with a maximal concentration of 5. 8%. The hollow fibers can be made by extruding the solution into a dilute alkali solution through a wet-spinning process and the tensile properties of the materials were evaluated by universal tester. The surface property of fibers,pretreated by Helium( He) and the following grafted with gelatin was evaluated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy( XPS).As the hollow fibers were intended for neural tissue engineering,its suitability was evaluated in vitro using rat Schwann cells( RSC96) as model cells. The cells attachment,proliferation and morphology,were studied by various microscopic techniques. Based on the results,the gelatin grafted HCS / f-MWNTs hollow fibers could be used as a potential cell carrier in neural tissue engineering.

Enhanced thermal and electrical properties of poly (D,L-lactide)/ multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites by in-situ polymerization

Biodegradable poly （D,L-lactide） （PLA）/carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes （c-MWCNTs） composites were achieved via in-situ polymerization. These as-prepared composite materials were characterized with FT-IR, XRD, TG, DSC, SEM, and high insulation resistance meter. The results demonstrate that the multi-walled carbon nanotube was carboxyl functionalized, which improved the collection between c-MWCNTs and PLA, and further realized the graft copolymerization of c-MWCNTs and PLA. There is a higher glass transition temperature and a lower pyrolysis temperature of PLA/c-MWCNTs composites than pure PLA. The c-MWCNTs gave a better dispersion than unmodified MWCNTs in the PLA matrix, and an even coating of PLA on the surface of c-MWCNTs was obtained, which increased the interfacial interaction. High insulation resistance analysis showed that the addition of c-MWCNTs increased the electric conductivity, and c-MWCNTs performed against the large dielectric coefficient and electrostatic state of PLA. These results demonstrated that c-MWCNTs modified PLA composites were beneficial for potential application in the development of heat-resisting and conductivity plastic engineering.

Effect of electron beam irradiation on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWCNTs） were irradiated with focused electron beams in a transmission electron microscope at room temperature. The results showed that carbon nanotubes had no obvious structural damages but only shell bending under 100 keV electron beam irradiation. However, when the electron energy increased to 200 keV, the nanotubes were damaged and amorphization, pits and gaps were detected. Furthermore, generating of carbon onions and welding between two MWCNTs occurred under 200 keV electron irradiation. It was easy to destroy the MWCNTs as the electron beams exceeded the displacement threshold energy that was calculated to be 83-110 keV. Conversely, the energy of electron beams below the threshold energy was not able to damage the tubes. The damage mechanism is sputtering and atom displacement.

MODIFICATION OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES WITH POLY(NITRILOETHYLENENITRILOVINYLENE)“GRAFTING TO”THE SURFACE

A mild and facile way was used to prepare poly(nitriloethylenenitrilovinylene)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs-g-PNENV)nanocomposites via the"grafting to"method.The MWCNTs-g-PNENV nanocomposites are well dispersible in polar solvents such as water,tetrahydrofuran and ethanol.Chemical structure of the resulting product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy,transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA).FTIR showed that the"grafting to"process belonged to covalent attachment mechanisms.TEM observations indicated that the MWCNTs were coated with a uniform PNENV layer,and the MWCNTs existed as a hard backbone.TGA data also showed that the PNENV shell was successfully grafted to the side wall of MWCNTs.

Electrocatalytic behaviors of poly acridine orange/multi-walled carbon nanotube modified electrode

In this work, noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotube （MWNT） with acridine orange （AO） by electropolymerization is studied. The obtained composite film is a viable alternate electrode material, non-toxic, chemical inert, not volatile, using to construct modified electrode. The new type modified electrode has both of unique properties of MWNT and poly acridine orange （POAO）, can provide good sensitivity, low limits of detection, good response precision, and superb response stability.

Chemical Modification and Characterization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Octadecylamine and Polyethylene Glycol

Chemical modification of MWCNTs via oxidation followed by side wall functionalization using polyethylene glycol （PEG） and octadecylamine （ODA）, separately, was studied. Different characterization techniques such as FTIR spectrometery, thermogravimetric analysis （TGA）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and solubility in different solvents were performed for the oxidized MWCNTs, MWCNTs-PEG and MWCNTs-ODA. The characterization techniques proved the presence of the functional groups on the MWCNTs surface. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that nearly 16% （by weight） of the MWCNTs were functionalized with PEG and 39% （by weight） was functionalized with ODA.

Electrochemical Detection of Sudan I Using a Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Chitosan Composite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this work, a simple and sensitive electrochemical method was developed to determine Sudan I by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a chitosan/carbon nanotube composite. In cyclic voltammetry, Sudan I exhibited a well-defined oxidation peak located at 0.72 V at the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/chitosan-modified GCE. The determination conditions, including pH, scan rate, and chitosan: MWCNT mass ratio at the modified electrode, were optimized. Under the optimum experimental conditions, Sudan I could be linearly detected by differential pulse voltammetry with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10-8 mol?L-1.

Study of enzyme biosensor based on carbon nanotubes modified electrode for detection of pesticides residue

The paper describes a controllable layer-by-layer （LBL） self-assembly modification technique of multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWNTs） and poly（diallyldimethylammonium chloride） （PDDA） towards glassy carbon electrode （GCE）, Acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） was immobilized directly to the modified GCE by LBL self-assembly method, the activity value of AChE was detected by using i-t technique based on the modified Ellman method. Then the composition of carbaryl were detected by the enzyme electrode with 0.01U activity value and the detection limit of carbaryl is 10^- 12 g L ^-1 so the enzyme biosensor showed good properties for pesticides residue detection.

Toxicity of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes,Graphene Oxide,and Reduced Graphene Oxide to Zebrafish Embryos

Objective This study was aimed to investigate the toxic effects of 3 nanomaterials, i.e. multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWCNTs）, graphene oxide （GO）, and reduced graphene oxide （RGO）, on zebrafish embryos. Methods The 2-h post-fertilization （hpf） zebrafish embryos were exposed to MWCNTs, GO, and RGO at different concentrations （1, 5, 10, 50, 100 mg/L） for 96 h. Afterwards, the effects of the 3 nanomateria on spontaneous movement, heart rate, hatching rate, length of larvae, mortality, and malformations Is were evaluated. Results Statistical analysis indicated that RGO significantly inhibited the hatching of zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, RGO and MWCNTs decreased the length of the hatched larvae at 96 hpf. No obvious morphological malformation or mortality was observed in the zebrafish embryos after exposure to the three nanomaterials. Conclusion MWCNTs, GO, and RGO were all toxic to zebrafish embryos to influence embryos hatching and larvae length. Although no obvious morphological malformation and mortality were observed in exposed zebrafish embryos, further studies on the toxicity of the three nanomaterials are still needed.

In situ synthesis of palladium nanoparticles on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their electroactivity for ethanol oxidation

Pd nanoparticles(Pd-NPs)were prepared and directly anchored on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)in the absence of chemical reduction agent,where MWCNTs were used as both the chemical reduction agent and the support substrate of Pd-NPs.Effect of various surfactants on the in situ deposition of PdNPs on MWCNTs was investigated.When MWCNTs were modified with a cationic surfactant(hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide,CTAB),the amount of the Pd-NPs(Pd-NP/CTAB-MWCNT)generated by such an in situ deposition method gets a notable increase,and the size of the as-synthesized Pd-NPs becomes smaller,compared with those in the absence of any surfactant(Pd-NP/MWCNT)or in the presence of an anionic surfactant SDS(Pd-NP/SDS-MWCNT)and a neutral surfactant OP(PdNP/OP-MWCNT).Results show that the MWCNTs modified with CTAB are propitious to the in situ reduction of Pd2?.Among the prepared catalysts,Pd-NP/CTABMWCNT displays the highest electroactivity for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media.

Production of High Purity Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from Catalytic Decomposition of Methane

Acid-based purification process of multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWNTs） produced via catalytic decomposition of methane with NiO/TiO2 as a catalyst is described. By combining the oxidation in air and the acid refluxes, the impurities, such as amorphous carbon, carbon nanoparticles, and the NiO/TiO2 catalyst, are eliminated. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） images confirm the removal of the impurities. The percentage of the carbon nanotubes purity was analyzed using thermal gravimetric analysis （TGA）. Using this process, 99.9 wt% purity of MWNTs was obtained.