Chemical doping-induced changes in optical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We studied the changes in the optical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) induced by chemical doping. An enhancement in the photoluminescence (PL) of the SWCNTs was observed after doping with reducing agents, whereas a reduction in the PL intensity and the appearance of fast exciton decay resulted from doping with oxidizing agents. Comparisons of the measured PL and transient absorption obtained with the two different types of dopants demonstrated that the PL properties of SWCNTs are strongly linked to the non-radiative exciton recombination processes. Chemical doping strongly modulates the exciton dynamics in SWCNTs.