Surface-Selective Directed Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes Using Side-Chain Functionalized Poly(thiophene)s

A simple and versatile strategy for the directed assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using side-chain functionalized poly(thiophene)s is presented. Modular 'variations in the side-chain of the polymers can be used to fine-tune the surface properties of polymerwrapped CNTs, which yields CNTs soluble in either water or organic solvents. Directed assembly of the CNTs based on electrostatic interactions or metal ligand interactions can be obtained, depending on the functional group on the side-chain of the polymers. Patterned thin films of CNTs with very high CNT density can be obtained with this approach, and the surface selectivity is extremely high.