Effect of Ce(III)-Cu(II) 15-metallacrown-5 compounds on the dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in aqueous solutions: Toward surfactant-free applications

Publication date: 30 April 2017
Source:Thin Solid Films, Volume 628
Author(s): Marina A. Katkova, Galina S. Zabrodina, Kirill V. Kremlev, Sergey A. Gusev, Anatoly M. Obiedkov, Boris S. Kaverin, Irina G. Fomina, Igor L. Eremenko
Metallacrowns (MC) possess unique structural and physicochemical properties leading to design of functional molecular materials. Herein we present the dispersing efficiency of Ce-Cu metallamacrocyclic complexes based on glycine- alanine- and phenylalanine hydroxamic acid with respect to multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) dispersion and exfoliation in water. The phenylalanine derivative MC was found to be a better dispersant than glycine and alanine derivatives MC. The aqueous phenylalanine derivative MC-MWCNT dispersion was quite stable over one month. This ability can be attributed to the efficient π-π interaction between the phenylalanine groups of the MC and the aromatic rings of MWCNTs. The formation of stable suspensions of MC-MWCNT could be a critical target in the development of practical applications of this valuable material.