Generation of luminescent defects in structure-sorted carbon nanotube membranes by ultraviolet irradiation in water

Abstract Adding luminescent defects to semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) significantly enhances photoluminescence (PL) at photon energies lower than intrinsic PL. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a simple enhancement method. However, the optimal UV irradiation conditions for directly generating luminescent defects in structure-sorted SWCNT membranes remain unclear. In this study, the impacts of UV irradiation on the generation of luminescent defects in structure-sorted semiconducting (6, 5) SWCNT assemblies in air and distilled water were examined. Unlike irradiation in air, which severely damaged SWCNTs and reduced PL intensity, UV irradiation in water caused moderate luminescent defect generation, significantly enhancing defect-induced PL intensity.