Photopolymerized lipids self-assembly for the solubilization of carbon nanotubes.
Because they have a great propensity to aggregation in water, solubilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous media remains an important challenge. Our laboratory has reported the self-organization of synthetic lipids into hemi-micellar structures at the carbon nanotubes surface. Subsequent stabilization of these carbon nanotube/lipid assembly (CNT/LA) constructs is achieved through photopolymerization of the diyne motif of the pentacosa-10,12-diynoic lipids. Herein we investigate the scope of this coating procedure for CNT solubilization. A panel of CNTs was selected according to the method of production and the characteristics of CNTs. The study revealed that it is possible to reach a complete lipid adsorption. The TEM analyses demonstrate that lipid hemi-micellar self-assemblies can be formed around SWNTs as well as around DWNTs and MWNTs, particularly for carbon nanotubes produced by the arc-discharged method. The nanotube suspensions show a very good stability and are homogeneous for months even at a high nanotubes concentration.
Contal
Emmanuel
E
Laboratory of Functional Chemo-Systems, UMR 7199, Faculté de pharmacie, 74 Route du Rhin, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France.
Morère
Alexandre
A
Thauvin
Cédric
C
Perino
Aurélia
A
Meunier
Stéphane
S
Mioskowski
Charles
C
Wagner
Alain
A
D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008823:Micelles; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D008055:Lipids; D008823:Micelles; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D014867:Water