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Single-wall carbon nanotubes, consisting of rolled-up sheets of carbon atoms, have received much attention recently. Such nanotubes are known to fluoresce in the IR region, and such fluorescence can be used to characterize their structure and properties. The SPEX^® Fluorolog^®-3, the modular spectrofluorometer from HORIBA Jobin Yvon, is easily modified with the attachment of near-IR detectors and a TRIAX spectrometer for spectral analysis of single-wall carbon nanotube emission. Near-IR detectors compatible with the Fluorolog^®-3 include the liquid-nitrogen-cooled IGA3000 series InGaAs array, which can take a full spectrum rapidly, as well as a single-element InGaAs detector. These InGaAs detectors are sensitive to photons from 800-1700 nm, with optional detection at longer wavelengths.

Fluorescence spectra from single-wall carbon nanotubes (in aqueous 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate) were recorded using a Fluorolog^®-3-21, incorporating a double-grating excitation monochromator (1200 grooves/mm, blazed at 300 nm) and single-grating emission monochromator (600 grooves/mm, blazed at 1000 nm). To detect the nanotubes' fluorescence, an IGA3000-series near-IR InGaAs CCD-array (256 pixels × 1 pixel, liquid-nitrogen cooled) was used, as well as a single-element InGaAs detector. With the InGaAs array, an Ar+ laser (l = 514 nm) was used as the source. With the single-element InGaAs detector, a 450-W Xe lamp was the excitation source. The emission spectrum appears to be excitation-wavelength dependent. The diameter and chiral angle of rolling-up of the nanotubes is related to the wavelength of the emission peaks [see, for example, S.M. Bachillo, et al., Science, 298 (2002), pp. 2361-2366].

SPEX Fluorolog-3-21 Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Emission Spectrum

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Matrix Scan

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Matrix Scan

Un-normalized Emission Spectra from Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes