Water soluble carbon nanotubes
US8592612B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07D307/12
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure present systems and methods for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with mono-terminated, protected polyethylene glycol (PEG). As compared with bi-functional PEG, mono-terminated PEG the PEG-THFF oligomer has only one reaction site. The use of mono-terminated PEG may enhance the solubility of CNTs functionalized with mono-terminated PEG by inhibiting cross-linking between nanotubes and leads to a dramatic increase in aqueous solubility. In an example, single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with PEG having a tetrahydrofurfuryl (THFF) terminal group (SWNT-PEG-THFF) is found to disperse in water by ultrasonication and forms stable viscous dispersions at concentrations as high as about 9 g/L. This result exceeds the solubility of a previously reported SWNT-PEG graft copolymer, approximately 6 g/L, by more than 30%.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.