Cyclopropanation reactions of carbon nanotubes

Covalent functionalization of single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes was performed by using a cyclopropanation reaction under classical heating conditions. The method involves the in situ formation of diazo intermediates, which are generated from tosylhydrazone precursors. The covalent functionalization of the pristine materials was evaluated with the use of characterization techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy. All compounds were also characterized by UV/Vis/near-IR and transmission electron microscopy. Similar to the example of fullerene-type derivatives, this procedure can produce new materials that may be appropriate for devices such as solar cells.