Debundling and Selective Enrichment of SWNTs for Applications in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Figure 3

(Color) Schematics of SWNT dispersion mechanism in water by physical adsorption of dispersant molecules. (a) SWNTs powders. (b) Surfactant micelles formation in aqueous solution. The insertion of SWNTs in the surfactant aqueous solution and the ultrasonic treatment cause the wrapping of surfactants around SWNT sidewalls. The surfactants wrap with their nonpolar tail the SWNT sidewalls while extending their polar or ionic end in contact with aqueous solution. (c) Cross-sectional view of the possible arrangement of the SDC molecules around the SWNT sidewalls. (d) Final dispersion with individual and bundled SWNTs wrapped by surfactant molecules.