Surface modification of carbon nanomaterials by aminopropyltriethoxysilane

Three types of carbon materials, ordered mesoporous carbon, glassy carbon and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, have been oxidized (wet treatment with nitric acid) and subsequently functionalized (by reaction with aminopropyltriethoxysilane) to introduce the amino groups onto the surface. Structural and chemical changes were monitored by several instrumental techniques such as nitrogen sorption measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and elemental analysis. Both the porous structure and surface chemistry change significantly on oxidation and functionalization, albeit to different extent depending on the type of the material.