(703f) Self-Assembly of Quantum Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) are seamless single-layered ?rolled up? graphene sheets (between 0.5 to 5µm in length and 1-2≤nm in diameter) generally existing as bundles. SWNTs have unique physical (e.g. opto-electronic, transport, and self-assembling) properties. However, these properties are obscured due to bundling of the tubes. Studies have revealed that the said physical properties are easier to observe when nanotubes are shortened and dispersed in solvents1.

In this talk, we will describe the self-assembly of SWNTs with lengths less than 100nm (Quantum SWNTs), which is produced by a unique technique developed in our lab. The self-assembly process was studied by varying solvent parameters, temperature and ionic concentration with respect to time and pH. Evaluation via UV-VIS, UV-VIS-NIR, Raman, AFM, TEM and HRTEM reveal that both side wall integrity and the length regulate the self- assembly process in various solvents. Long tubes take part in swift lateral self-assembly, decreasing proportionately with the length of the tubes.

Acknowledgement

NSF (0941260) CBI and NFCF, University of Pittsburgh, for the imaging facility.

Reference

(1) Price KB., Lomeda JR., Tour JM., Chem. Mater. 2009, 21, 3917?392