Simple and scalable gel-based separation of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes

We report a rapid and scalable method for the separation of metallic and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs); the separation is performed by the selective adsorption of semiconducting SWCNTs on agarose gel. The most effective separation was realized by a simple procedure in which a piece of gel containing SWCNTs and sodium dodecyl sulfate was frozen, thawed, and squeezed. This process affords a solution containing 70% pure metallic SWCNTs and leaves a gel containing 95% pure semiconducting SWCNTs. Field-effect transistors constructed from the separated semiconducting SWCNTs have been demonstrated to function without any electrical breakdown.