Selective carboxylation versus layer-by-layer unsheathing of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: new insights from the reaction with boiling nitrating mixture

Treatment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with a boiling nitrating mixture proceeds via two interrelated phenomena, i.e. periodic-like carboxylation and layer-by-layer desheathing, and overall, it can be controlled by kinetics of the process.