Starched Carbon Nanotubes

TLDR

Starch can solubilize single‑walled carbon nanotubes in water. Amylose is pre‑organized into a helical iodine complex, and the SWNTs displace iodine via a pea‑shooting mechanism. Physical agitation of the starch–SWNT solution produces a fine bucky paper, and simply allowing the solution to sit also yields comparable material.

Abstract

Common-or-garden starch can render single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) readily soluble in water. The secret is to preorganize the linear amylose component in the starch into a helix with iodine prior to bringing the SWNTs on the scene. The SWNTs displace the iodine molecules in a "pea-shooting" type of mechanism (see scheme). After some physical cajoling of the aqueous solution containing the starch–SWNT complex, a fine "bucky paper" is formed. Spitting in the aqueous solution, followed by sitting around for a few hours, also enables equally fine "bucky paper" to be harvested.