G-Quadruplex Guanosine Gels and Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Solubilization of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in aqueous gel phases formed by reversible, G-quadruplex self-assembly of guanosine monophosphate (GMP) alone or with guanosine (Guo) is described. Unlike other media and methods for aqueous solubilization of SWNTs, the guanosine gels (“G-gels”) are found to readily disperse high (>mg/mL) concentrations of individual rather than bundled SWNTs. SWNT dispersions in GMP alone precipitate in several hours and re-form upon shaking; however, dispersions in the binary GMP/Guo gels are indefinitely stable. Increasing GMP or KCl concentration in the binary gels increased the relative abundance of large diameter and semi-conducting SWNTs. Different gel compositions also displayed different selectivities toward SWNTs of different chiralities. These results indicate a strong connection between the self-assembled G-gels and the dimensions and structures of the SWNTs that they solubilize.