Gas-Phase Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes

I'm new to the subject of carbon nanotubes; However, I recently studied a little about them. But I failed to understand the gas phase functionalization.


As I understand, this technique is used to improve the solubility of the nanotubes.


However, I failed to understand the chemistry and physics of these processes so resumidad, considering that there have been many experiments in this field, but I failed to understand the basis of this process.


Someone could explain?


Another question: What causes that the nanotubes are hydrophobic?


