Understanding Noncovalent Absorption and Packing of 1-Pyrene Butanoic Acid Succinimidyl Ester on Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

摘要

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical properties that give them strong potential for applications in high performance sensors and molecular electronics [1]. One problem relevant to such technological applications is the functionalization of SWNT for solubilization, electrical contacts, chemical passivation, enhanced sensitivity against specific target molecules, and the facilitation of bottom-up assembly. Broadly speaking, experiments have been conducted on functionalization of the sidewall and the ends of SWNTs using one of three general approaches, doping, covalent binding, or non-covalent functionalization. Each of the three has distinct advantages and drawbacks. Since the non-covalent functionalization approach is the least disruptive of the surface orbital structure of SWNTs, it may be the best choice in situations when one wishes to best retain the properties of pure SWNTs [2].