Photoinduced electron transfer in C60 encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotube

Abstract

The transport properties of field-effect transistors based on C60 fullerene peapods have been investigated and our findings indicate that the transport characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are highly sensitive to the encapsulated fullerenes due to the charge-transfer effect. Under light illumination, the photoinduced electron transfer characteristics are found in C60 peapods, which is different from those observed for empty SWNTs. The response characteristic of peapod devices to light is reflected in a shift of threshold voltage toward negative values, indicating an electron-doping process. After removing light the photoresponse is fully recoverable, indicating complete restoration of transferred electrons.