Tuning the physical parameters towards optimal polymer-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes dispersions

Solubilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been essential for the understanding of their physical properties. Ultrasonication followed by centrifugation has been generally used for the preparation of SWNT dispersion in presence of different surfactants or conjugated polymers. However, the experimental condition and procedure show lab-to-lab dissimilarities. In this study, we report on the preparation and optical characterization of SWNTs dispersed with poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO). The effects of several processing parameters are investigated, such as sonication time, polymer concentration and centrifugation speed. Optical spectroscopic techniques including absorption and photoluminescence in the near-infrared spectral regions are used for the evaluation of the different SWNT dispersions. The optimal parameters to obtain isolated SWNTs are identified.