Photopolymerized lipids self-assembly for the solubilization of carbon nanotubes

Because they have a great propensity to aggregation in water, solubilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous media remains an important challenge. Our laboratory has reported the self-organization of synthetic lipids into hemi-micellar structures at the carbon nanotubes surface. Subsequent stabilization of these carbon nanotube/lipid assembly (CNT/LA) constructs is achieved through photopolymerization of the diyne motif of the pentacosa-10,12-diynoic lipids. Herein we investigate the scope of this coating procedure for CNT solubilization. A panel of CNTs was selected according to the method of production and the characteristics of CNTs. The study revealed that it is possible to reach a complete lipid adsorption. The TEM analyses demonstrate that lipid hemi-micellar self-assemblies can be formed around SWNTs as well as around DWNTs and MWNTs, particularly for carbon nanotubes produced by the arc-discharged method. The nanotube suspensions show a very good stability and are homogeneous for months even at a high nanotubes concentration.