Photoluminescence and absorption characteristics of SWCNT–DNA membrane integrated with cellulose

Abstract This current contribution reports the absorption and emission behavior of the single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)–DNA conjugate integrated with cellulose extracted from Philippine endemic plants. Microscopy analysis reveals that pristine SWCNTs formed bundles and exhibited insolubility in water. With the addition of cellulose extracted from corn husk and coconut coir, dispersion of nanotubes is evidently observed due to hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions of cellulose and nanotubes respectively. When SWCNT–DNA is integrated with cellulose, a membrane-like structure is formed attributed to the interaction of DNA and cellulose in nanotube surfaces. Interestingly, photoluminescence reveals the stability of this membrane formed on glass surface leading to bright PL images. This behavior can be attributed to the hydrogen bonding interaction of cellulose and DNA, van der Waals forces with nanotubes, and the ionic interactions between charged components of DNA in the suspension and the cellulose. These findings could lead to advancements in biosensing applications, leveraging the unique properties of cellulose from Philippine endemic plants.