Oxidation behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes fluidized with ozone.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were simultaneously fluidized and oxidized with gaseous ozone in a vertical reactor. Two different varieties of MWCNTs were compared to determine the versatility of the treatment and to elucidate the effect of defects on the oxidation behavior of MWCNTs. The extent of oxidation and nature of functional groups introduced on the nanotube surfaces were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Boehm titration, and structural changes were monitored with Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).