High-Purity Monovalent Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes.
Shoichi Nishitani1, Zirun Liang1, Ayana Tabo2
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|April 16, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to create single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a single functional tag. This advance enables precise molecular studies and nanotechnology applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are valuable for single-molecule studies.
- Stochastic surface functionalization limits precise control over SWCNT tagging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable strategy for producing SWCNTs with predominantly a single functional tag.
- To enable precise control over SWCNT functionalization for advanced applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized stochastic adsorption of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) onto SWCNTs.
- Employed a mixture of unmodified and modified ssDNA (m-ssDNA) for functionalization.
- Developed a probabilistic binding model to predict ssDNA distribution on SWCNTs.
- Used magnetic-bead capture and release for isolating singly tagged SWCNTs.
Main Results:
- Achieved 97.6% predicted single-tag purity of SWCNTs.
- Demonstrated predominantly single-label occupancy using single-molecule fluorescence imaging.
- Optimized conditions using a probabilistic model to maximize single-tag purity.
Conclusions:
- The developed batch-scale strategy provides a general route to predominantly singly tagged SWCNTs.
- This method facilitates downstream conjugation and assembly for diverse nanotechnologies.
- Enables precise molecular handle placement on SWCNTs for advanced research.
