title: Supramolecular surface modification and solubilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes with cyclodextrin complexation.
abstract: A novel approach to solubilize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the aqueous phase is described by employing supramolecular surface modification. We use cyclodextrin complexes of synthetic molecules that contain a planar pyrene moiety or a bent, shape-fitted triptycene moiety as a binding group connected through a spacer to an adamantane moiety that is accommodated in the cyclodextrin cavity. The binding groups attach to the sidewalls of SWCNTs through a pi-pi stacking interaction to yield a supramolecular system that allows the SWCNTs to dissolve in the aqueous phase through the formed hydrophilic cyclodextrin shell. The black aqueous SWCNT solutions obtained are stable over a period of months. They are characterized through absorbance, static, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as well as Raman spectroscopy, TEM, and fluorescence-decay measurements. Furthermore, the shape-fitted triptycene-based system shows a pronounced selectivity for SWCNTs with a diameter of 1.0 nm.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No. 11, Beiyitiao Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-Zhen
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Zu
authors.forename: Xu-Xia
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yuanqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bao-Hang
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Han