Thermodynamic control of quantum defects on single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes with designed quantum defects are prepared and characterized. The photoluminescence (PL) of the nanotubes can be modified by thermal treatment from 1215-1224 to 1249-1268 nm. Theoretical calculations suggest that the change in the PL spectra by thermal treatment can be explained by isomerization from kinetic to thermodynamic products.