Purification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by annealing and extraction based on the difference in van der Waals potential.

The potential energies of van der Waals interactions between two multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as well as two carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were calculated and compared on the basis of the continuum Lennard-Jones model. The well depth of the potential is 1 order of magnitude higher for MWNTs than for CNPs, indicating that MWNTs and CNPs can be separated from each other through polymer-induced steric stabilization. On the basis of this prediction, a novel method for the purification of MWNTs was proposed. The method involves a high-temperature annealing (2600 degrees C, 1 h) followed by an extraction treatment with a selected dispersing agent. While the annealing process evaporates the metal particles, the extraction treatment removes CNPs. The quality of the nanotubes obtained after purification was examined by laser Raman, thermogravimetric analysis, and electron microscopy observations.