Selective adsorption of nitro-substituted aromatics and accelerated hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate on carbon surfaces

Nitrobenzene, 4-nitrotoluene and 4-nitrophenyl acetate are selectively adsorbed from aqueous 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions onto aligned, randomly oriented and oxidised carbon nanotubes, as well as graphite and C₆₀ fullerene. The rate of hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate to 4-nitrophenolate is modestly accelerated through this process. Selective adsorption requires the presence of the surfactant and the hydrolysis of pNPA is accelerated only by a carbon surface that is graphitic in nature.