Solubilization of carbon nanoparticles, nanotubes, nano-onions, and nanodiamonds through covalent functionalization with sucrose

Water solubilization of carbon nanoparticles (nanocarbons), single-walled nanotubes (SWCNTs), nano-onions (NOs) and nanodiamonds (NDs) has been achieved through their covalent functionalization by fluorination and subsequent derivatization with sucrose. The covalent bonding of sucrose to the surface of the fluorinated nanocarbons was attained by a one-step fluorine substitution reaction with sucrose-derived lithium monosucrate under sonication in DMF at room temperature. This chemical process provides a simple, inexpensive, and easily scalable method for hydrophilic chemical modification of SWCNT, NO, and ND surfaces to produce sucrose-functionalized nanocarbons that become soluble in water, DMF, ethanol, and other polar solvents. The sucrose-functionalized nanocarbon particles are expected to be biocompatible due to the abundance of hydroxyl groups available for hydrogen bonding and further chemical modification. Relevant examples have been given.