Abstract
The possibility of filling of carbon nanotubes at elevated temperatures and pressures has been demonstrated. Carbon nanotubes can be filled with different fluids such as water, ethylene glycol and isopropyl alcohol or different gases such as Argon and Nitrogen. Understanding the penetration of different materials in nanochannels is important for the efficient storage of gasses and fluids. Wall structure of the nanotubes after treatment has been investigated. Hydrothermal treatment makes nanotubes hydrophilic. During the hydrothermal treatment, nanotubes can be completely or partially filled with liquids. Polymerization of ethylene glycol and isopropyl alcohol occurred inside and outside of the nanotubes, producing nanotube-reinforced composites. The liquid could also penetrate between the carbon layers causing this behavior. The exact chemical composition of the fluid, as well as the presence of the gases inside the nanotubes after hydrothermal treatment, have been studied by using TEM, EELS, EDS, Raman and Infrared microspectroscopy techniques.
