The generation of a carbon nanotube-cyclodextrin complex

In this study the intermolecular interactions of small diameter (∼0.7nm) carbon nanotubes and γ-cyclodextrin were examined. Four samples of γ cyclodextrin and HiPco carbon nanotubes were prepared. The first, by grinding the tubes and the cyclodextrin (1:30 ratio) together in a dry mixture, the second was prepared in a similar fashion but was ground in the presence of water (1ml). Finally an aqueous solution of γ-cyclodextrin (0.3M) and HiPco carbon nanotubes (5mg) was prepared by refluxing for ∼100 hours, forming a pale yellow solution from which a number of crystals were produced, both the solution and the recrystallised material were analysed. The samples were analysed using UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopy. The results presented are the first spectroscopic evidence of an intermolecular interaction between γ-cyclodextrin and single wall nanotubes.