Principal Investigators

Yi Sun, Department of Chemistry, NYU
Stephen R. Wilson, PhD., Department of Chemistry, NYU

Nanostructured materials, such as carbon nanotubes (NTs) have been the subject of much research in recent years because their unique electronic, mechanical and physical properties can be used in all areas of science. Unfortunately, carbon nanotubes are difficult to dissolve or disperse in most organic or inorganic solvents because of their long structured features, large molecular size, or severe aggregation. This difficulty in dispersing or dissolving carbon nanotubes limits the ability to incorporate carbon nanotubes in other organic or inorganic materials as well as the ability to manipulate them chemically and characterize them quantitatively.

Description of Project

By using a class of small organic molecules as dissolution or dispersing agents,
a low cost, efficient way to solubilize nanotube materials has been developed.
Solutions of nanotube materials can be provided in a variety of solvents. This greatly facilitates the use of carbon nanotubes for the uniform production of various devices and materials. Nanotubes of differing sizes and configurations can be more easily separated after dissolution. When treated in this manner, they also have much stronger light emission properties than untreated carbon nanotubes.

Applications

This technology enables any application or manipulation of carbon nanomaterials requiring their dissolution and dispersion.

For further information please contact

New York University
Office of Industrial Liaison
650 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 263-8178 Fax: (212) 263-8189