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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
14:09
Localization and Relative Quantification of Carbon Nanotubes in Cells with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
Published on: December 12, 2013
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Creating fluorescent quantum defects in carbon nanotubes using hypochlorite and light.
Ching-Wei Lin1, Sergei M Bachilo2, Yu Zheng2
1The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
Nature Communications
|June 30, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a fast, controllable method to oxygen-dope single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using bleach and UV light. These doped SWCNTs show potential for advanced bio-imaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Covalent doping of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) alters their optical properties.
- Modified SWCNTs are promising for applications like single-photon emitters and bio-imaging.
- Controllable doping methods are crucial for realizing these applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, rapid, and controllable method for oxygen-doping SWCNTs.
- To optimize the doping process by controlling various parameters.
- To demonstrate the utility of O-doped SWCNTs in bio-imaging.
Main Methods:
- Aqueous SWCNT dispersions treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at room temperature.
- UV irradiation for short durations (<1 minute) to induce O-doping.
- Variance spectroscopy to analyze the optical properties of individual doped SWCNTs.
- Development of a continuous flow reactor for scalable preparation.
Main Results:
- Optimized O-doping achieved by controlling surfactant and NaClO concentrations, and irradiation dose.
- Photochemical action spectra confirmed doping via reaction with photolyzed oxygen atoms.
- Most individual SWCNTs exhibited both pristine and doped emission after optimal treatment.
- Efficient preparation of milligram quantities of O-doped SWCNTs using a flow reactor.
Conclusions:
- A facile and controllable method for oxygen-doping SWCNTs has been established.
- The O-doped SWCNTs exhibit tunable optical properties suitable for advanced applications.
- High-contrast short-wavelength infrared fluorescence imaging of biological structures was demonstrated using minimal amounts of doped SWCNTs.
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