Interaction of SWNT with simple dye molecules

Single wall carbon nanotubes are insoluble in most organic solvents such as toluene. Improvements in the solubility of the single wall carbon nanotubes are however seen as a result of specific interactions with dye molecules such as terphenyl and anthracene. Suspensions formed in toluene with these dye molecules and the single wall carbon nanotubes are seen to be stable over prolonged periods. Spectroscopic analysis clearly shows an interaction between the carbon nanotubes and the dye molecules. It is proposed in this study that the use of these more simple molecular systems may provide a route towards selectively processing different types of tubes.