The application developments of noncovalent modification in the functionalization of carbon nanotubes are described

and the research progress of surfactant modification

π-π stacking interactions between small molecules and carbon nanotubes

surface winding and coating with polymer

wrapping and adsorption of biomacromolecule and filling modification are mainly introduced. Besides

further research work and improving direction of noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes are proposed. The interaction mechanism between different modifiers and carbon nanotubes is discussed. Among them

carbon nanotubes can be noncovalently coated with polymers containing conjugated or aromatic groups by π-π and van der Waals interactions between conjugated or aromatic groups and carbon nanotubes. The polymer functionalized carbon nanotubes have good application foreground in the battery

catalyst

biosensor and electrochemical devices. Additionally

noncovalent modification of carbon nanotubes by biomacromolecule can not only improve water solubility of carbon nanotubes in biological system

but also avoid nonspecific adsorption of proteins

nucleic acids and other biological molecules through reasonable design. Finally

the composite system of specific biological molecules and carbon nanotubes can be obtained.