Investigation of optical properties of pristine and functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition technique followed by hydroxyl addent functionalization. Crystallographic, topographic and morphological analyses of pristine and functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been studied via powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope respectively. UV–Vis absorption, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravemetric analysis, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopic studies have been carried out for confirmation of functionalization. Optical, quantitative and qualitative analysis of the pristine and functionalized SWCNTs have been completed via energy resolved and time resolved photoluminescence and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic studies respectively. Spectroscopic studies confirm the formation of good quality pristine and functionalized SWCNTs with hydroxyl addent. Recorded electron micrographs reveal the formation of fragmented functionalized SWCNTs with high aspect ratio whereas recorded diffraction patterns show the good crystallinity of synthesized nanostructures. Structural analyses of pristine and functionalized SWCNTs have been studied using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, Barrett–Joyner–Halenda pore size and volume analysis technique. Improved CVD method used in present studies is an eco-friendly method, which gives good yield of high quality SWCNTs.