Click Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes for Nano-Bio Applications

One of the main subjects of this thesis is to design a novel synthetic route to covalently functionalize carbon nanotubes with various molecules in a non-toxic way on both surface and suspension. Functionalized carbon nanotubes are of great interest in the field of molecular electronics, materials science and nano-bio applications because of their remarkable structural, chemical and physical properties. First, the single-walled carbon nanotubes are functionalized with gold nanoparticles by the route, which involves silanization and copper-free click chemistry (SPAAC). We characterize the functionalized nanotubes through XPS, IR and Raman spectroscopic techniques to identify the surface attachment of molecules after each step. We observe a drastic change in homogeneity and functionalization density of single-walled carbon nanotubes with gold nanoparticles concerning solvent through TEM. Employing the same route, biomolecules such as fluorescent dyes and single-stranded DNA molecules are integrated with SWNTs. Fluorescence lifetime analysis of AF647 functionalized SWNTs is reduced compared to free dye due to the fluorescence quenching phenomenon of carbon nanotubes. Functionalized SWNTs are characterized with FLIM, SEM, and Raman for better correlation at the same area of interest. Furthermore, the nanotubes are resolved at the nanoscale level through STORM imaging technique with a limited photon budget. Single-stranded DNA molecules of different lengths are used to investigate the fluorescence quenching as they are distance-dependent. DNA-PAINT is engaged in imaging the functionalized SWNTs with an unlimited photon budget, overcoming STORM's challenge. Lastly, the route is transferred to surface-grown CNTs through the CVD technique, in which both the gold nanoparticles and fluorescent dyes are grafted with nanotubes selectively. CVD is carried out on different substrates Si/SiO2, quartz substrate and quartz coverslip for substrate functionalization. Catalyst deposition plays a significant role in not only the CVD growth but also in the lifetime analysis of the substrate functionalized nanotubes. We observe similar fluorescence quenching of nanotubes in the substrate compared with nanotubes functionalized in suspension. Surface-grown nanotubes in the optically transparent substrate can be resolved through STORM at the nanoscale level. In conclusion, we demonstrate a synthetic design to functionalize SWNTs which provides the possibility to be versatile and non-toxic. Moreover, we show that the nanotubes can be functionalized through this route homogeneously and selectively on both surface and suspension. This work lays the foundation for tailoring SWNTs with not only a wide range of molecules and to study their functional characteristics but also to carry out functionalization on different substrates for various applications