Fluorescence Visualization of Carbon Nanotubes by Modification with Silicon-Based Polymer

Modification of the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes by using poly(10,11-dihydro-10,11-disila-5,10,10,11,11-pentamethyl-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-2,8-diyl) enables the nanotubes to be distinctly visualized in solvents by fluorescence microscopy. Electrophoresis of the polymer-modified nanotubes under an alternating electric field was observed in real time, and an SEM image of the resultant nanotubes trapped on the electrodes revealed the consistency of the modification. This modification method will facilitate fabricating nanotube-based devices that can be detected with high sensitivity using simple light microscopes.