METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HYDROPHILIC CARBON NANOTUBE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing hydrophilic carbon nanotubes by which hydrophilicity can be imparted without damaging surfaces of carbon nanotubes.

SOLUTION: Hydrophilic functional groups are introduced into surfaces of carbon nanotubes 4 by irradiating the carbon nanotubes 4 with ultraviolet rays 3. Hydrophilicity ensuring a contact angle of water within a range of <130°is imparted to the carbon nanotubes 4. The ultraviolet rays 3 are far-ultraviolet rays of 1-190 nm wavelength. The irradiation with the ultraviolet rays 3 is carried out in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen or in the presence of ozone and hydrogen. By the irradiation with the ultraviolet rays 3, ends of the carbon nanotubes 4 are opened.

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