Optical properties of carbon nanotubes coated with orthogonal dipole switches

Abstract

To disentangle the process of direct optical excitation of carbon nanotubes coated with photochromic switches from the isomerization of the latters, we functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes with the orthogonal dipole switching moiety dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF). The orthogonality of the switch decouples the kinetics of the dipole change from the optical excitation of the nanotubes, allowing the independent investigations of the excitation of tubes and switch. DHA to VHF conversion triggered by exposures to UV photons. The back isomerization is thermally activated and cannot be driven optically.