New Methods Towards Designer DNA Sequences for Enantiomeric-Chiral Selective Sorting of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

To date methods in producing structurally defined single-wall carbon nanotubes are inadequate leaving purification or sorting a viable option for obtaining nanotubes of a certain chirality. While several procedures have been developed for structure specific isolation of nanotubes, there are differences in purity, scalability, and economic feasibility. The use of single-stranded DNA sequences has evolved and been refined to select for both nanotube helicity and handedness. These developments through brute force screening of hundreds of sequences show the unique recognition of DNA for nanotube structure. Going a step further DNA recognition combined with a second technique, aqueous two-phase separation, allows for high purity sorting of multiple chiralities. We introduce a few new experimental and computational methods as the next step in discovering new DNA sequences for sorting single-wall carbon nanotubes. Utilizing these new methods followed by experimental verification, novel DNA sequences are discovered for dispersing and sorting single-wall carbon nanotubes.