Starched Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Common‐or‐garden starch can render single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) readily soluble in water. The secret is to preorganize the linear amylose component in the starch into a helix with iodine prior to bringing the SWNTs on the scene. The SWNTs displace the iodine molecules in a "pea‐shooting" type of mechanism (see scheme). After some physical cajoling of the aqueous solution containing the starch–SWNT complex, a fine "bucky paper" is formed. Spitting in the aqueous solution, followed by sitting around for a few hours, also enables equally fine "bucky paper" to be harvested.

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