Tracing the chemical oxidation process of single-walled carbon nanotubes by silver nanoparticles

We proposed here a simple technique for tracing the chemical oxidation process of single-walled carbon (2.6 mol . L-1) was used as oxidant for introducing carboxylic acid groups at the end or surface of the tubes. Based on the interaction between -COOH groups and silver nanoparticles, the oxidation procedure can be traced successfully. The results suggest that refluxing of SWNTs in HNO3 may introduce carboxylic acid groups mostly at the original defect sites and few defect is newly created along the SWNTs walls.