Hierarchical structures of functionalized multi–walled carbon nanotubes in aerosil solution

The features and  regularities of self−assembly and  self− organization processes in the diffusion−limited conditions (method of drops) of aqueous (deionized water) colloidal solutions of multi−walled carbon nanotubes with aerosil under the influence of constant electric fields with a value varying of direct  current voltage  from 15 to 25 V have been studied. During droplet evaporation in an electric field, the processes of hierarchical structuring have been studied and the formation of linear piecewise with the sizes of 40—120 nm, fractal structures 25—45 nm and  diffusion structures 250 nm from MWCNT — COOH + aerosil  + H₂O_DI  have  been observed. These structures have  been analyzed by methods of confocal microscopy, X−ray powder diffraction, Raman scattering, atomic force microscopy, FT−IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The size of micro− and nanostructures in hyperbolic dependence of d = 1/U in the  approximation d → 2R, and their growth rate  increases as U² have been observed. Intensive ultrasonic dispersion proves to produce a centrally−axial arrangement located SWCNT after ultrasonic dispersing of functionalized MWCNT — COOH + aerosil  + H₂O_DI colloidal solution, as confirmed by excitation of Raman lines in the low−wavelength region, the so−called breathing mode, resulting in the existence of mixed types sp²−hybridization with π− and σ−carbon bonds, as well as metallic and semiconducting conductivity, which indicates great practical importance of this structuring for the development of nanoelectronics.

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