Patent ID: 7374685

Claim:
A method comprising: combining a sample including semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes and metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes with a separation agent, the separation agent comprising a geometrically planar portion and one or more π electrons on the planar portion, the separation agent being soluble in a solvent and the metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes being insoluble in the solvent; selectively associating the separation agent with the semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes in the sample to form a complex including the semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes associated with the separation agent; combining the solvent with the complex to form a mixture; and selectively solubilizing the complex with the solvent; wherein the mixture comprises the solubilized complex and solids, the solids including the metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes.