title: Acyclic cucurbit[n]uril molecular containers selectively solubilize single-walled carbon nanotubes in water.
abstract: Making single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) soluble in water is a challenging first step to use their remarkable electronic and optical properties in a variety of applications. We report that acyclic cucurbit[n]uril molecular containers 1 and 2 selectively solubilize small-diameter and low chiral angle SWNTs. The selectivity is tunable by increasing the concentration of the molecular containers or by adjusting the ionic strength of the solution. Even at a concentration 1000 times lower than typically required for surfactants, the molecular containers render SWNTs soluble in water. Molecular mechanics simulations suggest that these C-shaped acyclic molecules complex the SWNTs such that a large portion of nanotube sidewalls are exposed to the external environment. These "naked" nanotubes fluoresce upon patching the exposed surface with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Cai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meany
authors.forename: Lyle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.forename: YuHuang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D047028:Macrocyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D000099246:Cucurbit(n)urils
chemical_list: D047028:Macrocyclic Compounds; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D014867:Water; D000099246:Cucurbit(n)urils