The stability of n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in air is crucial for the development of CNT-based electronics and energy-harvesting generators. Various attempts using chemical dopants have led to significant improvements in the air tolerance of n-type CNTs; however, our understanding of their stability depending on the CNTs’ structural features and dopant species, particularly that of the air sensitivity of semiconducting CNTs, remains incomplete. In this study, we investigated the atmospheric stability of chemically n-doped CNTs using time-course infrared absorption spectroscopy. This technique is advantageous for selectively monitoring the stability of semiconducting CNTs by tracking changes in the excitonic absorption and plasmonic response. Furthermore, its adaptability was confirmed by examining the stability dependences on the average tube diameters. Based on this evaluation method, distinct stabilization mechanisms for doping CNTs using supramolecular salt-based dopants (e.g., crown ether complexes) and superelectron donors (SEDs; e.g., 4-(2,3-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylbenzenamine) were examined. These findings can pave the way for the promising design of practical, flexible electronic devices and energy generators involving n-doped semiconducting CNTs.

中文翻译：

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通过跟踪光吸收揭示化学 N 掺杂半导体碳纳米管的大气稳定性的掺杂剂固有机制


n 型单壁碳纳米管 (CNT) 在空气中的稳定性对于基于 CNT 的电子产品和能量收集发电机的开发至关重要。使用化学掺杂剂的各种尝试已经显着改善了n型碳纳米管的空气耐受性；然而，我们对它们的稳定性取决于碳纳米管的结构特征和掺杂剂种类，特别是半导体碳纳米管的空气敏感性的理解仍然不完整。在这项研究中，我们利用时程红外吸收光谱研究了化学n掺杂碳纳米管的大气稳定性。该技术有利于通过跟踪激子吸收和等离子体响应的变化来选择性监测半导体碳纳米管的稳定性。此外，通过检查稳定性对平均管直径的依赖性，证实了其适应性。基于这种评估方法，使用超分子盐基掺杂剂（例如冠醚络合物）和超电子供体（SED；例如4-(2,3-二氢-1,3-二甲基-1H-）掺杂碳纳米管的不同稳定机制检查了苯并咪唑-2-基)-N,N-二甲基苯胺)。这些发现可以为涉及 n 掺杂半导体碳纳米管的实用、灵活的电子设备和能量发生器的有前途的设计铺平道路。