Carbon nanotubes as templates for one-dimensional nanoparticle assemblies

We present a simple, generally applicable procedure for the assembly of nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution. The method makes use of polyelectrolytes for wrapping carbon nanotubes and providing them with adsorption sites for electrostatically driven nanoparticle deposition. The method is exemplified by the assembly of gold nanoparticles which results in single, optically labelled carbon nanotubes.