Abstract: | The adsorption of dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been studied by FT-IR, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The N2O4 adsorption is fully reversible, and after the desorption there is no evidences of MWCNTs nitration. Instead, the MWCNTs have been found oxidized by the action of N2O4. By thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) about 5% by weight of oxygenated groups have been found. Thermal analysis has revealed that MWCNTs having a surface area of 275 m2/g are able to reversibly adsorb about 25% by weight of N2O4, a value comparable to that observed for certain active carbons. |