Functionalization of carbon nanotubes using atomic hydrogen from a glow discharge

We have functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with atomic hydrogen generated in a cold plasma. A band at 2924 cm(-1) (3.4 mum), characteristic of the C-H stretching mode, is observed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additional confirmation of functionalization is provided by irradiating with atomic deuterium. A band in the region 1940 cm-1 (5.2 mum) to 2450 cm(-1) (4.1 mum) corresponding to the C-D stretching mode is confirmed and another weak band in the region 1050 cm(-1) (9.5 mum) to 1300 cm(-1) (7.7 mum) corresponding to C-D bending mode is also seen. Our approach using a glow discharge provides a clean gas-phase process to functionalize SWNTs for further application development.