Effective solubilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes in THF using PEGylated corannulene dispersant

PEG-derivatized corannulene compound has been found to be very effective in solubilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes in tetrahydrofuran. Solubilizing efficiency is close to the commonly used anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Corannulene derivative has also been found to have a tendency to disperse metallic nanotubes more effectively than the SDS counterpart. Theoretical calculations predict higher dispersion interactions of corannulene backbone with the convex surface of nanotubes in comparison to those calculated with other commonly used polyaromatic hydrocarbon derivatives.