Interactions of single wall carbon nanotubes with methyl viologen radicals. Quantitative estimation of stored electrons

The electron storage and discharge properties of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are probed by their interaction with radiolytically and photolytically produced methyl viologen (MV+•) radicals. Quantitative estimation of stored electrons amounts to one electron per ∼100 carbon atoms of SWCNT. These stored electrons are readily discharged on demand by introducing an electron acceptor such as thionine (E0TH/TH2− = 0.064 V vs NHE). On the basis of the charge equilibration experiments, we estimate the apparent Fermi level of SWCNT as 0.039 V versus NHE.