Copper phthalocyanine functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes: thin film deposition and sensing properties

Abstract

Thin films of non-covalently hybridised single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and tetra-substituted copper phthalocyanine (CuPcR4) molecules have been produced. The pi-pi interaction between SWCNTs and CuPcR4 molecules has been revealed by using different characterisation techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements have shown that films obtained from the acid-treated SWCNTs/CuPcR4 hybrids demonstrated more homogenous surface. Using total internal reflection ellipsometry spectroscopy (TIRE), thin films of the new hybrid have been examined as an optical sensing membrane for the detection of benzo[a] pyrene in water to demonstrate the sensing properties of the hybrid.