New strategy for synthesis and functionalization of carbon nanoparticles.

We describe a novel "one-step" combined synthesis and functionalization of carbon nanoparticles, using a new generation of all-in-one small submerged-arc plasma reactor that we have developed. We take advantage of long-lived free radicals generated by a submerged-arc helium atmosphere plasma and resident on the nanoparticle surfaces to supply ethylenediamine directly after the plasma to functionalize the carbon nanoparticles. XPS, TG/DTG, FTIR, and fluorescence tests confirm the viability of this new amination process. The nanoparticles are small and relatively uniformly sized. Their dispersibility in aqueous solution is significant.