As-grown Swcnts contain many impurities, such as metal particles and amorphous carbons.
Accurate control of the ultrasonication amplitude allows to avoid or limit damaging the Swcnts.
By the ultrasonically assisted synthesis, high-purity Swcnts were produced on the surface of silica powder.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes(SWNTs or Swcnts) have unique characteristics,
but to express them they must be individually dispersed.
Ultrasonication of Swcnts in a monochlorobenzene(MCB) solution of poly(methyl methacrylate)
PMMA followed by filtration is an effective way to purify Swcnts.
It is difficult to study the chemical modification of Swcnts at the molecular level, because is difficult to obtain pure SWNTs.
Ultrasonically generated cavitational shear forces are
powerful enough to overcome the bonding forces, whilst the ultrasound intensity can be adjusted accurately to avoid the damage of the Swcnts.
Comparative toxicity studies in which mice were given
equal weights of test materials showed that Swcnts were more toxic than quartz,
which is considered a serious occupational health hazard when chronically inhaled.