Isomerization of Orthogonal Molecular Switches Encapsulated within Micelles Solubilizing Carbon Nanotubes

We study the effects of the proximity of the orthogonal dipole-switching moiety dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF) to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The switches are introduced into a micelle surrounding the CNTs, thereby achieving very close proximity between the molecules and the CNTs for the first time. The change of the molecules’ configuration is not hindered by its encapsulation: We report the reversible switching of molecules inside CNT surrounding micelles. The orthogonality of the switch also allows us for the first time to observe the effect of the molecule on the emission spectra of the CNTs and the resulting reversible redshift of the nanotubes’ emission by the change of the molecules’ conformation.