Molecular functionalization of carbon nanotubes towards near infrared photoluminescent nanomaterials

Abstract

Local chemical functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been developed as a means of defect doping to enhance the near infrared photoluminescence properties of the materials. Wavelength-tunable and exciton trapping-induced bright emission appears from locally functionalized SWCNTs (lf-SWCNTs). Molecularly designed lf-SWCNTs based on our approach produce new dynamic switching functionalities and greater shifts of the emission wavelength, which gives unique exciton properties to lf-SWCNTs.