“The paper describes the most recent and systematic efforts in developing a string of new methodologies for chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes which a cost-effective and useful.”

Our paper is highly cited because of a current great worldwide interest in nanotechnology in general and in the novel chemistry of carbon nanotubes, in particular.

The paper describes the most recent and systematic efforts in developing a string of new methodologies for chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes which is cost-effective and useful. Some of these methods, e.g. fluorination of carbon nanotubes, are already being commercialized by Carbon Nanotechnology Inc., of Houston, Texas, the company with whom I am currently in collaboration.

The paper describes the chemical tools developed in our laboratories for handling tiny objects as small as one hundred billionth of a meter—single-walled carbon nanotubes—which will make them useful building blocks for the engineering of new advanced materials such as superstrong fibers, electronic microchips, anticancer drugs, etc. at a macroscale and which will, when taken in a long perspective, lead to a dramatic improvement in the quality of life.

I am an Organic Chemist according to all advanced degrees earned and a Physical Organic and Materials Chemist through long-term experience. At Rice, I was working on functionalization of fullerenes and synthesis of carbon nitride materials prior to extending my research to carbon nanotubes. Practicing chemistry on nanotubes seemed quite challenging due to the very low reactive graphitic electronic structure of their side walls. During my career I have been involved in a number of challenging projects in which I succeeded. Thus the involvement in this research came quite naturally to me based on my previous experience working with carbon/heterocarbon materials and the utilization of spectroscopic characterization methods. The other important factors were the availability of carbon nanotubes from Prof. Rick Smalley’s laboratory at Rice University, the vigorous nanotechnology program available at the Rice Center of Nanoscale Science & Technology (CNST)—funded under the National Nanotechnology Initiative—and the availability of the excellent materials characterization facilities at the CNST.

Professor Dr. Valery N. Khabashesku
Faculty Fellow
Department of Chemistry and Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology
Rice University
Houston, TX, USA

Read an interview written by Dr. Smalley about the Center for Nanoscale Science & Technology at Rice University.

Read comments by co-author Billups, WE of this Fast Breaking Paper.