A study of synthesizing stable super-slip carbon nanotubes by grafting octadecylamine

Abstract A stable super-slip material with the electrical conductive property has been synthesized by chemical grafting. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were chosen as the electrical conductive matrix. After the acidification of the mixed acid, the original MWCNTs were oxidized to form carboxyl groups on the surface. The octadecylamine (ODA) was bonded on the acidified MWCNTs with the amidation reaction. In order to obtain higher grafting rate, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was added into the reaction system. The MWCNTs with the ODA grifted had properties of superhydrophobic and super-slip. The modified MWCNTs properties of anti-icing, resistance of ultraviolet and acid-alkali were verified during the testing. The modified MWCNTs can be used as electrical conductors for special service, such as devices requiring hydrophobicity and super-slip.