A novel conversion of inert carbon nanotubes to highly dispersed fibres

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were functionalized with alkyl groups and transformed to form highly dispersed carbon nanofibres (CNFs) in ethylenediamine via the Benkeser reaction. The functionalized CNFs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman, infrared spectroscopoy as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The functionalized CNFs with long alkyl chains can be highly dispersed in universal solvents such as ethanol, toluene and N, N-dimethyl- formamide. The conversion mechanism has been investigated and the electrophilic reagents were proposed as key factors affecting the conversion degree.