Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) linked with cyclodextrin(I): Properties of their composite with 4-aminopyridine

The cyclodextrin-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT-CDs) were prepared and characterized by using FT-IR. The properties of the composite containing MWNT-CDs and 4-aminopyridine were investigated in aqueous solution through UV-vis spectra and fluorescence spectra. Meanwhile, in order to understand the interactions between MWNT-CDs and 4-aminopyridine, MWNTs only possessing carboxyl groups (MWNT-COOHs) were also used for comparison with MWNT-CDs. The results show that the electron transfer arises between organic molecules and MWNT-CDs, as well as MWNT-COOHs. There exists a sensitizing effect of 4-aminopyridine on the photoluminescence of MWNT-CDs, which is probably due to the energy transfer between organic molecules and MWNT-CDs. However, no sensitizing effect on the photoluminescence of MWNT-COOHs was observed. Therefore, it can be deduced that the cyclodextrin moiety plays an important role in the sensitizing process.