Mechano‐Fenton–Piranha Oxidation of Carbon Nanotubes for Energy Application

Wei, Chaohui; Akinwolemiwa, Bamidele; Wang, Qingfu; Guan, Li; Xia, Lan; Hu, Di; Tang, Bencan; Yu, Linpo; Chen, George Z.

Abstract

Emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from chemical processing of materials is a serious environmental concern, frustrating the development of many innovative technologies. For example, sulfonitric oxidation is the most widely used method for processing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), producing a large amount of NOx. As a result, large scale applications of CNTs for downstream purposes remain challenging. Herein, we propose a NOx-free oxidation method for CNTs processing. It starts with mechanically grinding, and then oxidising the CNTs by hydroxyl radicals in sealed reactors. Such processed CNTs are shorter, possess balanced surface oxygen containing groups without compromising the original CNT integrity, and can disperse readily in water. These are desirable for making various CNT-composites, including those with conducting polymers for supercapacitors. The reactors in our process are industrially adoptable, promising a great technological and commercial future.

Citation

Wei, C., Akinwolemiwa, B., Wang, Q., Guan, L., Xia, L., Hu, D., Tang, B., Yu, L., & Chen, G. Z. (2019). Mechano‐Fenton–Piranha Oxidation of Carbon Nanotubes for Energy Application. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 3(11), Article 1900065. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.201900065

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 18, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Aug 15, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 30, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 16, 2019
• Journal: Advanced Sustainable Systems
• Print ISSN: 2366-7486
• Electronic ISSN: 2366-7486
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 11
• Article Number: 1900065
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.201900065
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2379747
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adsu.201900065
• Contract Date: Aug 16, 2019