Separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes by electronic type using block copolymers

摘要

The separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), by electronic type using centrifugation of compositions of SWNTs and surface active block copolymers in density gradient media.

主权项

1. A method of using a density gradient to separate single-walled carbon nanotubes, said method comprising:
centrifuging a nanotube composition in contact with a fluid medium comprising a density gradient, said nanotube composition comprising a surface active component selected from linear and X-shaped amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) and combinations thereof, and a mixture of single-walled carbon nanotubes, said mixture selected from mixed nanotube diameters, mixed nanotube chiralities, mixed nanotube electronic types and combinations of said mixtures; and separating said nanotube composition into a plurality of separation fractions, at least one of said separation fractions enriched with single-walled carbon nanotubes of at least one of said selected nanotube diameter, nanotube chirality and nanotube electronic type, said enrichment relative to said nanotube composition.