Raman signature of the interaction between functionalized MWCNT and the liquid crystalline system (4DBA).

Liquid crystalline systems provide the best molecular matrix as a host for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) due to their fluidity character that controls the molecular ordering. The anisotropic shape of the CNTs makes them highly suitable nanoparticles that can be embedded in liquid crystalline systems to achieve uniform tunable dispersion. The uniform and stable dispersion of CNTs in the liquid crystalline host is challenging due to strong Vander Waal forces between CNTs. The functionalization of CNTs is one of the most popular techniques to achieve the dispersion system in an LC host due to the covalent bonding between CNT and LC systems. The COOH functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNT) provide effective sites to interact with LC systems with the carboxylic group at the terminal. Raman spectroscopy is used as a probe to investigate the interaction between 4DBA and F-MWCNT through COOH---COOH dimer formation. Comparative Raman analysis of 4DBA, 4DBA + bare MWCNT, and 4DBA + F-MWCNT spectra show bands associated with the COOH group giving strong evidence of interaction between 4DBA and F-MWCNT. Raman study reveals the mechanism of dimer formation between F-MWCNT and 4DBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]