Bright Fluorescence from Individual Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

• Published in: Nano letters Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 1636 - 1640
• Main Authors: Lee, Andrea J, Wang, Xiaoyong, Carlson, Lisa J, Smyder, Julie A, Loesch, Bradford, Tu, Xiaomin, Zheng, Ming, Krauss, Todd D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 13.04.2011
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Fluorescence; Lighting - instrumentation; Luminescent Measurements - instrumentation; Materials science; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotubes; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Physics; near-infrared fluorescence; fluorescence; Single-walled carbon nanotubes; epifluorescence microscopy; Fluorescence; Singlewalled nanotube; Photoelectronic properties; Nanocomposites; Carbon; Transients
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/nl200077t

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have unique photophysical properties but low fluorescence efficiency. We have found significant increases in the fluorescence efficiency of individual DNA-wrapped SWNTs upon addition of reducing agents, including dithiothreitol, Trolox, and β-mercaptoethanol. Brightening was reversible upon removal of the reducing molecules, suggesting that a transient reduction of defect sites on the SWNT sidewall causes the effect. These results imply that SWNTs are intrinsically bright emitters and that their poor emission arises from defective nanotubes.