Efficient functionalization of carbon nanotubes: an opportunity enabled by flow chemistry

The covalent chemistry of carbon nanotubes has put forth a wide variety of interesting derivatives that widen the potential of these carbon allotropes in nanomedicine and materials science. However, the functionalization protocols often require long reaction times and frequently harsh conditions. This paper reports a flow approach to the functionalization of carbon nanotubes enabled by a Coflore ACR reactor that allows a precise reaction control through efficient heat and mass transfer. With the ACR setup we investigated the addition of an aryldiazonium salt to the mentioned carbon nanostructures and demonstrated that the solubility of the functionalized material is similar to that obtained with the flask synthesis, but can be achieved in shorter times with the potential advantage of a quick response when new solvents or the addition of new functional groups are explored.