Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of imidazole derivatives functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes

The imidazole derivatives functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized by a diazonium-based reaction. We have designed and synthesized two imidazole derivatives to modify SWNTs. The resulting products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electrochemical measurements via a cyclic voltammetry method revealed that the weak intramolecular electronic interactions presented between the attached imidazole derivatives groups and the nanotubes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.