Light-controlled single-walled carbon nanotube dispersions in aqueous solution.
We have succeeded in dispersing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into an aqueous solution of poly(ethylene glycol)-terminated malachite green derivative (PEG-MG) through simple sonication. It was found that UV exposure caused reaggregation of these predispersed SWNTs in the same aqueous medium, as adsorbed PEG-MG photochromic chains could be effectively photocleavaged from the nanotube surface. The observed light-controlled dispersion and reaggragation of SWNTs in the aqueous solution should facilitate the development of SWNT dispersions with a controllable dispersity for potential applications.
Chen
Senlin
S
Key Laboratory of Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China.
Jiang
Yugui
Y
Wang
Zhiqiang
Z
Zhang
Xi
X
Dai
Liming
L
Smet
Mario
M