Carbon nanotube-fluorenevinylene hybrids: Synthesis and photophysical properties

Soluble, chromophore-functionalized carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been synthesized via covalent approach with minimal alteration to the characteristic electronic states of MWCNTs. The key step includes incorporating a fluorenevinylene fluorescent moiety onto MWCNTs via the esterification of oxidized MWCNTs, where the solubility of the product is brought about by hexyl groups attached to the fluorene moiety. Electronic properties of the adduct were investigated by UV-Vis and luminescence spectroscopies, whereas its dispersability was monitored by SEM and TEM imaging. Fluorescence of the fluorenevinylene moiety is found to be quenched when bonded to the MWCNT sidewalls, indicating an electronic interaction in the excited state.

Carbon nanotubes can be modified by a conjugated aromatic oligomer based on the fluorenevinylene chromophore. The CNT-based adducts show enhanced dispersability in organic media, whereas photophysical measurements indicate that de-activation of chromophore excited state takes place by various radiative as well as nonradiative routes.