FUNCTIONALIZATION OF CARBON NANOTUBES USING BIOMOLECULES OF DIFFERENT NATURE FOR STABLE DISPERSION IN WATER

Abstract

To select the most effective methods for functionalizing carbon nanotubes and the to compare the ability of a number of biological molecules (plasmid DNA, ATP, deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, bovine serum albumin, compounds of vitreous humor extract and sodium humate) to interact noncovalently with carbon nanotubes and mediate their dispersion in an aqueous medium was conducted was the aim of research. Properties of carbon nanotubes-biomolecules conjugates were characterized using ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron and atomic force microscopy. Formation of stable aqueous polydisperse colloidal systems of single-walled and multi-walled non-covalently functionalized carbon nanotubes was shown. The appearance of extended functionalization covering consisting of biomolecules on the surface of carbon nanotubes was demonstrated. Changes in morphology and structure of carbon nanotubes, namely shortening and the appearance of defects in sp2-hybridized surface caused by functionalization were revealed. As a result, the range of molecules of biological origin suitable for noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes was chosen, with correspondence to the specific use in plant biotechnology and the properties of formed complexes were characterized.

Keywords

• single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes
• noncovalent functionalization by biomolecules.