Reactions on single-walled nanotubes: 1. Radiation-stimulated reactions in aqueous suspensions of single-walled carbon nanotubes in surfactant solutions

Chical reactions initiated by 60Co γ-radiation in the suspensions of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the aqueous solutions of a surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), have been studied. In a pure aqueous solution of CTAB, the radiolysis of water leads to the appearance of OH radicals, which induce the oxidation of CTAB molecules. In the suspensions, CTAB molecules are concentrated on SWCNTs and oriented in one direction and the OH radicals induce the crosslinking of surfactant molecules. A moss-like coating is formed on the nanotubes, and the suspension is converted into jelly. The coating does not have covalent bonds with the nanotube walls. The formation of the polymer is due to the packing of molecules around the nanotube, rather than their chemical properties.