Facile functionalization by π-stacking of macroscopic substrates made of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes: Tracing reactive groups by electrochemiluminescence

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We report a simple, fast and reliable non-covalent route of functionalization of macroscopic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surfaces based on the π-stacking of CNTs sidewall with fluorescein derivatives (i.e., amino- and isothiocyanate-). The electrochemiluminescent emission of Ru(bpy) 3 2+ labels bearing –COOH and –NH 2 side groups coupled with colorimetric and XPS measurements allowed to estimate the quantity of –NH 2 and –N C S functions obtained. The evaluation of reactivity suggests that functionalized CNTs substrates, in particular those carrying –N C S groups, are suitable to covalently bind probe molecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides, thus opening up the possibility of future application in genomics and proteomics fields.