Curdlan and Schizophyllan ((beta)-1,3-Glucans) can Entrap Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes in Their Helical Superstructure

We have found that s-SPG and curdlan are capable of wrapping SWNTs and the "periodical" helical structure is created, reflecting the helical nature of the SPG main-chain, on the SWNTs surface. The novel SWNTs/(beta)-1,3-glucan composites were characterized by TEM and AFM, which consistently support the view that these (beta)-1,3-glucans wrap SWNTs, creating a helical higher-order structure.