Effect of Ultraviolet Irradiation on the Purification of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes, synthesized in water using arc discharge method, were purified using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Raman spectra showed that contamination was reduced concomitantly with the irradiation time. After seven hours’ irradiation, the I_G/I_D ratios of samples were up to 2.3 times as high as that of the original products. This treatment readily removes amorphous carbon at room temperature without damaging the nanotubes.