Dispersion of carbon nanotubes using an azobenzene derivative

Aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were obtained by noncovalent adsorption of an azobenzene derivative carrying polyglycerol dendric structures. UV/Vis absorption spectra and photoluminescence maps were recorded to confirm successful nanotube debundling and suspension. Comparison to dispersion of nanotubes using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) revealed shifts of the nanotube E(22) excitation peaks from 28 to 67 meV as well as shifts from 21 to 37 meV of the E(11) emission peaks. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim