Non-Covalent Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Surfactants and Polymers

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possessing unique structure and properties are attractive building blocks for novel materials and devices of important practical interest. However, the insolubility or poor dispersibility of pristine CNTs in common solvents poses a serious obstacle to their further development. To effectively utilize CNTs as building blocks for nanotechnology, CNTs have been covalently and noncovalently functionalized in a number of ways to render them soluble in aqueous or organic solutions. Here, we review recent progress and advances that have been made on dispersion of carbon nanotubes in aqueous and organic media by non‐covalent functionalization with surfactants and polymers. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are novel and exciting nano‐materials for a wide range of applications. These potential applications are, however, often limited by their insolubility in solvents. Therefore, strategic approaches toward the solubilization of CNTs are essential for their applications. In this review we mainly describe the progress, remaining challenges of non‐covalent functionalization of CNTs with surfactants and polymers.