Dissolution of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The solubility properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and the factors that control the dissolution of these materials have been investigated in detail. The authors report a number of strategies that lead to soluble SWNTs, in particular the covalent attachment of long alkyl chains to the carboxylic acid–terminated SWNTs shown in the Figure (produced by the purification process) via formation of amides and by formation of zwitterions by an acid–base reaction.