Synthesis and optoelectrical properties of chemically unzipped carbon nanotubes by modified Hummers’ method

Abstract

In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were unzipped utilizing the modified Hummers technique as an effectual procedure to deliver highly unzipped graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) employed for the fabrication of a light sensor. The chemical unzipping was also attained by modifying the oxidation time to ensure a good unzipping efficiency and a higher rate of exfoliation of the MWCNTs. The influence of soaking time on the unzipping efficiency of the MWCNTs has been examined. Furthermore, SEM, TEM, FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman examinations were utilized to monitor and characterize the process of unzipping of MWCNTs. Schottky diode based on the unzipping MWCNTs was fabricated. The optoelectrical properties of the chemically unzipped carbon nanotube (CNT) by the modified hummers method were studied. The high unzipping efficiency was a good technique used for the fabrication of a promising Schottky diode photosensor which was revealed by the I–V characteristics curves. A 532 nm laser was used to calculate the quantum efficiency. Based on the obtained results, the synthesized GNRs have very promising applications in many fields including micro and nano optoelectronics.

Keywords:

• Modified Hummers method
• MWCNT
• GNRs
• chemical unzipping
• optoelectrical properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).