Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems for creating ladder/standards as quality control tools for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes; determining the length purity; or measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. Some embodiments further provide methods and systems for dispersing carbon nanotubes by conjugation of the carbon nanotubes with biomolecule moieties, specifically proteins. Further, some embodiments provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. In some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subjecting the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for separating carbon nanotubes on the basis of a specified parameter, such as length. The methods include labelling of the carbon nanotubes with a biological moiety, followed by SDS-PAGE and staining, to separate the carbon nanotubes on the basis of length and/or characterize their length. In some embodiments, egg-white lysozyme, conjugated covalently onto single-walled carbon nanotubes surfaces using carbodiimide method, followed by SDS-PAGE and visualization of the single-walled nanotubes using silver staining, provides high resolution characterization of length of the single-walled carbon nanotubes. This high precision, inexpensive, rapid and simple separation method obviates the need for centrifugation, additional chemical analyses, and expensive spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy to visualize carbon nanotube bands. The disclosed methods find utility in quality-control in the manufacture of carbon nanotubes of specific lengths.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to methods for measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. In particular, the present teachings provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subject the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems for creating ladder/standards as quality control tools for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes; determining the length purity; or measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. Some embodiments further provide methods and systems for dispersing carbon nanotubes by conjugation of the carbon nanotubes with biomolecule moieties, specifically proteins. Further, some embodiments provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. In some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subjecting the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to methods for measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. In particular, the present teachings provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subject the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for separating carbon nanotubes on the basis of a specified parameter, such as length. The methods include labelling of the carbon nanotubes with a biological moiety, followed by SDS-PAGE and staining, to separate the carbon nanotubes on the basis of length and/or characterize their length. In some embodiments, egg-white lysozyme, conjugated covalently onto single-walled carbon nanotubes surfaces using carbodiimide method, followed by SDS-PAGE and visualization of the single-walled nanotubes using silver staining, provides high resolution characterization of length of the single-walled carbon nanotubes. This high precision, inexpensive, rapid and simple separation method obviates the need for centrifugation, additional chemical analyses, and expensive spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy to visualize carbon nanotube bands. The disclosed methods find utility in quality-control in the manufacture of carbon nanotubes of specific lengths.