Functionalization of plasma synthesized advanced carbons*

We report here about experiments concerning the plasma based functionalization of plasma produced carbon nanotubes and free-standing graphenes. The influence of nitrogen and ammonia plasma on the surface properties is investigated, involving the role of the surface temperature on the functionalization procedure. The effect of the plasma treatment on the different carbon materials is analyzed by means of contact angle measurements, near edge x-ray absorption fine spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and XPS. We will discuss the importance of the plasma characteristics for the formation of amino groups and nitrogen incorporation in the material. The important issues concern: the formation of dangling bonds, destructive effects of plasma-surface interactions and recovery of the surfaces.