Hydration Properties of Carbon Nanotubes and Their Effects on Electrical and Bio-Sensor Applications

As-grown carbon nanotubes are hydrophobic, i.e., more attractive to non-polar groups than polar substances. Surfaces of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes have been treated by means of electrochemical, thermal, and plasma oxidation processes to convert them to hydrophilic surfaces. Effects of hydration properties of carbon nanotubes on electron field emission characteristics and interactions of carbon nanotubes with polar and non-polar molecules were explored. This paper summarizes our work in this area of research and presents results on the modification of the hydration properties of carbon nanotubes and their applications.