Use of alkylated, amphiphilic zinc porphyrins to disperse individualized SWCNTs

Abstract

A series of zinc porphyrins, namely ZnPa and ZnPb, which exist predominantly as aggregates, are utilized in a top-down preparation of individualized and stabilized single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Sizable interactions in the ground state of the corresponding SWCNT/ZnPa and SWCNT/ZnPb electron donor–acceptor systems lead to charge transfer in the excited state. The product includes the simultaneous reduction of the electron-accepting SWCNTs and the oxidation of the electron-donating ZnPa and ZnPb.