Doping of Carbon Nanotubes with Encapsulated Phosphorus Chains.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are a perfect host for the formation of one-dimensional phosphorus structures and to obtain hybrid materials with a large P-C ratio. This work presents a procedure for high-yield phosphorus filling of commercial Tuball SWCNTs and efficient removal of phosphorus deposits from the external nanotube surface. We probed white and red phosphorus as precursors, varied the synthesis temperature and the ampoule shape, and tested three solvents for sample purification. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy indicated crystallization of interior phosphorus in a form resembling fibrous red phosphorus. An aqueous sodium hydroxide solution allowed removing the majority of external phosphorus particles. Thermogravimetric analysis of the product determined ∼23 wt % (∼10 atom %) of phosphorus, and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data showed that ca. 80% of it is in the form of elemental phosphorus. Externally purified SWCNTs filled with phosphorus were used to study the interaction between the components. Raman spectroscopy and core-level XPS revealed p-type SWCNT doping. Valence-band XPS data and density functional theory calculations confirmed the transfer of the SWCNT electron density to the encapsulated phosphorus.

Effect of Charge Transfer upon Li- and Na-Ion Insertion in Fine-Grained Graphitic Material as Probed by NMR.

We investigated the insertion-extraction behaviors of Li and Na ions in graphitic materials using solid-state NMR. A unique advantage of high-degree 13C-isotope enrichment of graphitic material allowed sensitive and metastable graphite intercalation compounds to be measured in a short time. Ex situ 13C magic-angle spinning NMR spectra of 13C fine-grained graphite are presented as a function of state-of-charge. The observations are discussed with respect to graphite intercalation phenomena, which include the effects of charge transfer and the demagnetizing field. Dramatic narrowing of the 13C NMR signal in metal-intercalated graphite evidences quasi-complete charge transfer occurring between lithium and graphite host material and resulting in reducing the macroscopic field effects. Upon Na insertion, incomplete charge transfer is observed and explained by inaccessibility of graphitic interlayer space for Na ions in our study. In addition, critical issues of reversibility of Li- and Na-ion electrochemical cells and solid electrolyte interphase formation are considered on the atomic scale. The knowledge gained in the present work can be applied to advanced high-power-density electrode materials for safe and fast-charging metal-ion batteries or for novel spintronic concepts with controlled spin-polarized charge carrier injection and transport combined with the possibility to manipulate magnetic anisotropy.

Effect of the fluorination technique on the surface-fluorination patterning of double-walled carbon nanotubes.

Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) are fluorinated using (1) fluorine F2 at 200 °C, (2) gaseous BrF3 at room temperature, and (3) CF4 radio-frequency plasma functionalization. These have been comparatively studied using transmission electron microscopy and infrared, Raman, X-ray photoelectron, and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. A formation of covalent C-F bonds and a considerable reduction in the intensity of radial breathing modes from the outer shells of DWCNTs are observed for all samples. Differences in the electronic state of fluorine and the C-F vibrations for three kinds of the fluorinated DWCNTs are attributed to distinct local surroundings of the attached fluorine atoms. Possible fluorine patterns realized through a certain fluorination technique are revealed from comparison of experimental NEXAFS F K-edge spectra with quantum-chemical calculations of various models. It is proposed that fluorination with F2 and BrF3 produces small fully fluorinated areas and short fluorinated chains, respectively, while the treatment with CF4 plasma results in various attached species, including single or paired fluorine atoms and -CF3 groups. The results demonstrate a possibility of different patterning of carbon surfaces through choosing the fluorination method.

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Reactor for Redox Transformation of Mercury Dichloride.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) possessing a confined inner space protected by chemically resistant shells are promising for delivery, storage, and desorption of various compounds, as well as carrying out specific reactions. Here, we show that SWCNTs interact with molten mercury dichloride (HgCl2) and guide its transformation into dimercury dichloride (Hg2Cl2) in the cavity. The chemical state of host SWCNTs remains almost unchanged except for a small p-doping from the guest Hg2Cl2 nanocrystals. The density functional theory calculations reveal that the encapsulated HgCl2 molecules become negatively charged and start interacting via chlorine bridges when local concentration increases. This reduces the bonding strength in HgCl2, which facilitates removal of chlorine, finally leading to formation of Hg2Cl2 species. The present work demonstrates that SWCNTs not only serve as a template for growing nanocrystals but also behave as an electron-transfer catalyst in the spatially confined redox reaction by donation of electron density for temporary use by the guests.