Fig. 1: Photocatalytic oxygen functionalization of (6,5) SWCNTs.

a Photocatalytic generation of ROS using AQS (concentration 6 µM) as photocatalyst and UV-light (λ_ex = 365 nm). Reaction of ROS with the SWCNT lattice creates luminescent oxygen defects leading to strong E₁₁* photoluminescence (PL, excitation at E₂₂ transition, λ_ex = 570 nm), as fast-diffusing excitons are localized at the defect site. b PLE map of functionalized (6,5) SWCNTs (concentration AQS 6 µM, UV irradiation for 20 min) in aqueous dispersion (SDS, 0.33% w/v). c Evolution of the total PL quantum yield (PLQY) of (6,5) SWCNT dispersions with increasing oxygen defect density (PLQY of the pristine sample: 0.6%, concentration AQS 4 µM, the blue line is a guide to the eye). d Averaged and normalized Raman spectra of (6,5) SWCNTs (λ_ex = 532 nm) at different degrees of functionalization and detail of the Raman D-mode showing its relative increase in intensity compared to the G⁺-mode with defect density n_d. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.