X-ray Spectromicroscopy of Carbon Nanotubes

The analysis of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes by X-ray spectromicroscopy was demonstrated. It was shown that both the generation of COOH groups due to functionalization and the reaction of these groups with hexavalent uranium (surface complexation) influenses the NEXAFS spectra. The method may become a promising tool for "mapping" chemical properties such as the presence or absence of chemical elements or the type of binding between these elements on the surface of carbon nanotubes.