Author/Authors :
OʹConnell، نويسنده , , Michael J. and Boul، نويسنده , , Peter and Ericson، نويسنده , , Lars M. and Huffman، نويسنده , , Chad and Wang، نويسنده , , Yuhuang and Haroz، نويسنده , , Erik and Kuper، نويسنده , , Cynthia and Tour، نويسنده , , Jim and Ausman، نويسنده , , Kevin D. and Smalley، نويسنده , , Richard E.، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been solubilized in water by non-covalently associating them with linear polymers, most successfully with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). This association is characterized by tight, uniform association of the polymers with the sides of the nanotubes. A general thermodynamic drive for this wrapping is discussed, wherein the polymer disrupts both the hydrophobic interface with water and the smooth tube–tube interactions in aggregates. The nanotubes can be unwrapped by changing the solvent system. This solubilization process opens the door to solution chemistry on pristine nanotubes, as well as their introduction into biologically relevant systems.
