Fabrication and electrochemical behavior of vertically-aligned carbon nanotube electrodes covalently attached to p-type silicon via a thioester linkage

Abstract

Vertically-aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) (VACNTs) are becoming increasingly recognized due to their fast electron transfer rates. However, the chemistry available for further functionalizing these electrodes is limited. Here we describe a new approach to the fabrication of VACNTs. SWCNTs were covalently attached to a p-type silicon (100) (Si) wafer surface using a thioester linkage in which the nanotubes were firstly acid treated and then, in the presence of a hydroxylated Si wafer surface, reacted with phosphorus pentasulfide (a mild electrophilic catalyst). The novel nanostructure was characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) showing vertical alignment with FTIR s..