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Updated: May 1, 2026

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Dispersion of SWCNTs with imidazolium-rich surfactants
Antonello Di Crescenzo1, Sofie Cambré, Raimondo Germani
1Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università "G. d'Annunzio" , Via dei Vestini, I-66100 Chieti, Italy.
Abstract:
Starting from previous evidence on the crucial role of imidazolium ions, long alkyl chains, and aromatic rings in favoring the adsorption of surfactants onto carbon nanotube (CNT) walls, we have synthesized novel gemini surfactants with the aim to optimize and identify a reference structure for CNT dispersants. The efficiency of the novel surfactants has been evaluated, discussed, and compared with already well-investigated dispersants. The good affinity of the surfactants for the CNT sidewalls is highlighted by the presence of resonant van Hove absorption and highly resolved Raman and fluorescence spectra, while the strong hydrophobic interactions and favorable packing between the two alkyl chains of the investigated gemini surfactants and the CNT sidewalls ensure good CNT dispersion. Our results show no selectivity toward specific diameters/chiralities, confirming the twin heads of imidazolium surfactants are pointed toward the bulk water, while the alkyl chains are arranged on the CNT walls, improving water solubility at the expense of potential selectivity.
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