Ozonolysis of carbon nanotubes

摘要

Methods of treating single walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes with ozone are provided. The carbon nanotubes are treated by contacting the carbon nanotubes with ozone at a temperature range between 0° C. and 100° C. to yield functionalized nanotubes which are greater in weight than the untreated carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes treated according to methods of the invention can be used to prepare complex structures such as three dimensional networks or rigid porous structures which can be utilized to form electrodes for fabrication of improved electrochemical capacitors. Useful catalyst supports are prepared by contacting carbon nanotube structures such as carbon nanotube aggregates, three dimensional networks or rigid porous structures with ozone in the temperature range between 0° C. and 100° C.