Supramolecular Approach to Decorate Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Negatively Charged Iron(II) Complexes

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and P4VP/pentacyanoferrate(II) metallopolymer were used to suspend up to 1 mg mL-1 of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in ethanol/water mixtures, providing noncolavent decoration of MWCNT with electroactive iron complex. The major interaction between polymer side chains and nanotubes is via π-π stacking, rather than charge-transfer interaction reported for many nitrogenated interacting molecules. Preservation of structural integrity of the nanotubes after functionalization was attested by Raman, which was reflected in the semiconducting character of the drie...