Chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes

We present the functionalization of SWNT, MWNT and graphite with hydrogen. The covalently bonded hydrogen derivatives decompose at around 500 °C resulting in the evolution of hydrogen. The maximum hydrogen content of nanotubes estimated from thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry corresponds to about a HC8 composition. The addition reaction of hydrogen introduces longer, σ type C-C bonds giving rise to a significant disorder at the surface layers of the hydrogenated nanotubes as shown by electron micrography.