Patent ID: 6203814
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: A61K,B82Y,C01B,C07H,C07K,D01F,G01N,G11C,H01M,Y02E,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of introducing functional groups onto the surface of carbon nanotubes to form a functionalized nanotube having the formula[C.sub.n H.sub.L.brket close-st.A.sub.mwherein the carbon atoms, C.sub.n, are surface carbons of a substantially cylindrical, graphitic nanotube being substantially free of pyrolytically deposited carbon,n is an integer, L is a number less than 0.1 n, m is a number less than 0.5 n,each of A is selected fromOY, NHY, C(O)--OY, C(O)--NR'Y, C(O)--SY, C(O)--Y, --CR'.sub.2 --OY, N=Y, and C=Y,Y is an appropriate functional group of a protein, a peptide, an enzyme, an antibody, an oligonucleotide, a nucleotide, an antigen, or an enzyme substrate, enzyme inhibitor or the transition state analog of an enzyme substrate or is selected fromR'--OH, R'--NH.sub.2, R'SH, R'CHO, R'CN, R'X, R'SiR'.sub.3, R'-R"", R'--N--CO, (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O.paren close-st..sub.w H, (--C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O.paren close-st..sub.w H, (--C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.w -R', (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.w -R' and R',R' is alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or cycloaryl,R"" is fluoroalkyl, fluoroaryl, fluorocycloalkyl or fluoroaralkyl,X is a halide,Z is carboxylate or trifluoroacetate, andw is an integer greater than one and less than 200,comprising the steps of:(a) contacting the carbon nanotubes with oxidizing agents comprising a solution of an alkali metal chlorate in a strong acid for a period of time sufficient to oxidize the surface of said nanotubes; and(b) contacting the surface-oxidized carbon nanotubes with reactant such that a functional group is added to the surface of the carbon nanotubes.