Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with amphiphilic molecules and their Langmuir-Blodgett films

Crown ether-modified full-length multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by a direct heating method. Subsequently, the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method was used to prepare a monolayer of modified carbon nanotubes on an air-water interface. The corresponding Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films appeared to be very stable and could be transferred onto a hydrophilic silicon substrate easily. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the morphology of the films, in which locally aligned structures could be observed.