In situ photoluminescence spectroelectrochemistry for determination of electronic states of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The determination of electronic states of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been a central issue in nanoscience of carbon nanotubes. We have established an in situ photoluminescence (PL) spectroelectrochemistry to determine the electronic properties of the SWNTs. This review article focuses on the fundamentals of the in situ PL spectroelectrochmical method to determine electrochemical potentials of isolated SWNTs and microenviromental effects on the electronic states of the SWNTs, electronic states of SWNTs with a single chirality, and empirical prediction for the electronic potentials of the SWNTs. Such electronic state determination is important for detailed understanding about fundamental properties of the SWNTs and their applications, especially in electronic device applications of the nanotubes.