Absorption Properties of Hybrid Composites of Gold Nanorods and Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We report on the optical properties of fabricated nanohybrid structures containing Au nanorods and functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes in aqueous solutions. In particular, the absorption spectra of these hybrid materials are studied as a function of the concentration of the functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes as well as the evolution time following preparation. The absorption spectra show a red shift of the longitudinal plasmon mode of the Au nanorods along with the emergence of broadened structures at wavelengths between 1000 and 1100 nm. These results, supported by TEM images, indicate the self-assembly of the Au nanorods forming on the sidewalls of the functionalized SWNTs driven by polyelectrolyte interactions.