(Invited) Inter-Nanotube Exciton Energy Transfer Modulation in Polymer-Encapsulated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The environmentally sensitive and intrinsically photostable near-infrared emission of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) shows promise for multiplexed, photostable, near-infrared (nIR) optical probes and molecular sensors. Use of nanotubes for such purposes requires the ability to simultaneously modulate nanotube fluorescence and functionally derivatize the nanotube surface via noncovalent encapsulation of the nanotubes. We report a systematic study on helical polymer cloaking of nanotubes and modulation of their optical properties. Individually-encapsulated nanotubes in these helical polymers, with specific functional pendant group substitutions, allowed the kinetic measurements of dynamic self-assembly and disassembly of nanotubes, and facilitated the first instance of inter-nanotube exciton energy transfer (INEET) in aqueous suspensions.