Understanding the chemistry of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is critical to rational manipulation of their properties. In one experiment, raw and oxidized SWNTs have been reacted with VaskaÕs complex. It has been found that Ir coordinates to these nanotubes by two distinctive pathways. With raw nanotubes, the metal attaches as if the tubes behaved as electron-deficient alkenes. With oxidized nanotubes, the reaction occurs by coordination through the increased number of oxygen atoms, forming a hexacoordinate structure around the Ir atom. The reaction process significantly increases oxidized nanotube solubility in dimethylformamide. In another experiment, oxidized SWNTs have been reacted with cadmium selenide nanocrystals as well as titanium dioxide nanocrystals to form nanoscale heterostructures, characterized by transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.

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7/11/2002