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dispersing perylenediimide SWCNT mol hybrid TEM TG
Abstract:
The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) are advantageous for emerging applications. Yet, the CNT insoly. hampers their potential. Approaches based on covalent and noncovalent methodologies have been tested to realize stable dispersions of CNTs. Noncovalent approaches are of particular interest as they preserve the CNT's structures and properties. We report on hybrids, in which perylene diimide (PDI) amphiphiles are noncovalently immobilized onto single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). The resulting hybrids were dispersed and exfoliated both in water and org. solvents in the presence of two different PDI derivs., PP2b and PP3a. The dispersions were investigated using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), providing unique structural insights into the exfoliation. A helical arrangement of PP2b assemblies on SWCNTs dominates in aq. dispersions, while a single layer of PP2b and PP3a was found on SWCNTs in org. dispersions. The dispersions were probed by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopies, revealing appreciable charge redistribution in the ground state, and an efficient electron transfer from SWCNTs to PDIs in the excited state. We also fabricated hybrid materials from the PP2b/SWCNT dispersions. A supramol. membrane was prepd. from aq. dispersions and used for size-selective sepn. of gold nanoparticles. Hybrid bucky paper films were prepd. from the org. dispersions. In the latter, high cond. results from enhanced electronic communication and favorable morphol. within the hybrid material. Our findings shed light onto SWCNT/dispersant mol. interactions, and introduce a versatile approach toward universal soln. processing of SWCNT-based materials. [on SciFinder(R)]
