Sonication of porphyrin-nanotube composites: a cautionary tale
Citation:
Mhuircheartaigh E. N., Blau W. J., Prato M. and Giordani S, Sonication of porphyrin-nanotube composites: a cautionary tale, Physica Status Solidi (b), 244, 11, 2007, 4227 4230Abstract:
We report the spectroscopic changes of tetraphenylporphyrin carbon nanotube composites in a variety of
chlorinated solvents such as chloroform, dichloroethane and dichlorobenzene as a result of sonication.
Detailed data analysis suggests that protonation of the porphyrin core nitrogen atoms occurs as a result of
sonodegradation of the solvent molecules. Extreme care must be taken when working with carbon
nanotube composite solutions in chlorinated solvents, as sonication is always employed to disperse the
nanotubes. This finding is of enormous relevance to the materials chemistry community since these
solvents are widely used in preparation of carbon nanotube composite solutions. When working with
molecules that are capable of acting as a base some amount of protonation is inevitable and this may
dramatically change the physicochemical properties of the composite materials.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/giordanshttp://people.tcd.ie/wblau
Description:
PUBLISHED
Author: GIORDANI, SILVIA; BLAU, WERNER
Type of material:
Journal ArticleCollections
Series/Report no:
Physica Status Solidi (b)244
11
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