Non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes: Experimental evidence for isolated and bundled tubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) may be used in technological applications as individual entities instead of bundled tubes. The Raman signature of these two forms is still a controversial subject. The profile, peak position and relative intensity of the Raman band associated with the tangential vibration modes (G band ∼1600 cm−1) and radial vibration modes (RBM ∼100–200 cm−1) are the main parameters which can reveal the dispersion state of nanotubes. Resonant Raman scattering and absorption spectroscopy on SWNTs furnish complementary information concerning the efficiency of the nanotube dispersion in individual entities.