Synchrotron Soft X-ray Studies of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized by Radio-Frequency SF6 Plasma

Abstract

Single-walled carbon nanotubes have been functionalized using an inductively coupled radio-frequency plasma system with SF6, O 2 and H2O plasmas. Samples were characterized using synchrotron soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The influence of plasma power has been investigated along with the effect of gaseous mixtures. It has been found that oxygen has a strong influence over the extent of fluorination both as an impurity in the SF6 plasma and in the form of surface oxygen content on the nanotubes prior to exposure. The presence of sulfur in samples after exposure has until now been considered non-existent but using the synchrotron source, its presence has been noted in very small concen..