Visualization of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes under an optical microscope as a result of decoration with gold nanoparticles

A method was developed to visualize each SWCNT in an array under an optical microscope. By decorating the SWCNTs with gold nanoparticles of controlled size and density with a seeded electroless deposition process, the SWCNTs become visible under ordinary optical microscope. The visibility of the gold-decorated SWCNT is the result of coupled surface plasmon resonance adsorption of the dense gold nanoparticles decorated on SWCNTs. The visualization of individual SWCNTs under an optical microscope makes the investigation of SWCNTs easier. It not only facilitates the Raman characterization of each individual SWCNT, but also simplifies the fabrication of individual-SWCNT-based devices.