Carbon Nanotubes-phenol Materials: A Microcalorimetric Approach and Potential Energy Storage Applications

Authors

  • Cassiano R. de Oliveira Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus of Rio Paranaíba, Rio Paranaíba, Brazil Author
  • Marcelo M. da Costa Pulp and Paper Laboratory - Forestry Department - Federal University of Viçosa, Avenue P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa, Brazil Author
  • Rodrigo L. Lavall Chemistry Department, Exact Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66000/3110-9772.2026.02.03

Keywords:

Surface heterogeneity, carbonaceous adsorbents, immobilization mechanism, energy storage, allotropy of carbon, functionalized phenols

Abstract

Phenols can play an important role in the functionalization of carbon nanotubes to enhance energy storage properties. The adsorption of this class of molecules is a facile process applied to reach functional carbon nanotubes. In this study, the thermodynamics of phenol, 2-methylphenol and 4-chlorophenol onto pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was evaluated by measuring standard adsorption free energy change (ΔadsGo), standard adsorption enthalpy change (ΔadsHo) and standard adsorption entropy change (ΔadsSo). The adsorption of all phenolic compounds onto MWCNTs was a thermodynamically spontaneous process and the decrease in ΔadsGo follows the order phenol < 2-methylphenol < 4-chlorophenol. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry results show that the adsorption process is enthalpically driven and that MWCNT interfaces have sites with different interaction energies that allow specific interactions with phenolic compounds, not only by π-π dispersion interactions.

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Published

2026-07-09

Issue

Vol. 2 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Cassiano R. de Oliveira, Marcelo M. da Costa, Rodrigo L. Lavall (Author)

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