1.
Nano Lett
; 11(4): 1636-40, 2011 Apr 13.
Artículo
en Inglés
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21417364
RESUMEN
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have unique photophysical properties but low fluorescence efficiency. We have found significant increases in the fluorescence efficiency of individual DNA-wrapped SWNTs upon addition of reducing agents, including dithiothreitol, Trolox, and ß-mercaptoethanol. Brightening was reversible upon removal of the reducing molecules, suggesting that a transient reduction of defect sites on the SWNT sidewall causes the effect. These results imply that SWNTs are intrinsically bright emitters and that their poor emission arises from defective nanotubes.