Carbon Solutions, Inc.

Irina Kalinina

Robert Cort Haddon

Elena Borisova Bekyarova

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%.

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Riverside, CA, United States of America

Irina Kalinina