Light induced aggregation of specific single walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We report optically induced aggregation and consequent separation of specific diameters of nanotubes from stable solutions of pristine single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Dispersed solutions of pristine SWNTs in different solvents show rapid and selective aggregation. The separated SWNTs show enrichment in specific diameters of SWNTs aggregating under UV, visible and NIR illumination.