Solvent-free microwave-assisted Bingel reaction in carbon nanohorns

In this paper we exploit the benefits of microwave-assisted functionalization of carbon nanohorns (CNHs). Using Bingel reaction conditions we have successfully incorporated malonyl moieties in CNHs. The resulting hybrid materials were characterized by diverse and complementary analytical techniques, including Raman, UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, while electrochemistry was employed to determine possible variations in the energy levels when photoactive units were grafted onto the skeleton of CNHs.