The effects of acid treatment on the thermoelectric power of multiwalled carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition

Acid treatment of carbon nanotubes is a post synthesis processing step used to clean carbon nanotubes. We show that exposure of the nanotubes to oxygen rich reagents including nitric and sulfuric acid results in an increase of the thermoelectric power. Improving dispersion through the use of the surfactant triton-x results in a further increase in TEP of up to 21%. Additionally, refluxing in an oxygen rich acidic solution results in improved dispersion and an increased TEP. These results indicate that improved dispersion of the nanotubes by either sonication or reflux leads to increased oxygenation and thermopower.