A method for fabricating of macroscopic two or three dimensionally ordered
arrays of single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) comprising the following steps:
chemically treating purified SWNTs using the sol gel process to add
chemically reactive groups to either the tube ends or tube bodies in order
to functionalize the SWNTs; suspending the functionalized SWNTs in an
appropriate liquid medium such that a colloid is produced; treating the
colloid with a chemical or heat to promote coupling of the individual
functionalized SWNTs to each other; and heating the coupled SWNTs to
evaporate any excess liquid so as to provide a final product comprising an
array of covalently bound functionalized SWNTs.
