Solubilization of single-wall carbon nanotubes by supramolecular encapsulation of helical amylose.

We have developed a simple, efficient process for solubilization of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with amylose in aqueous DMSO. This process requires two important conditions, presonication of SWNTs and subsequent amylose treatment in an optimum mixture of DMSO/H2O. The former step separates SWNT bundles, and the latter step provides a maximum cooperative interaction of SWNTs with amylose, leading to the immediate and complete solubilization.