Deactivation of singlet oxygen by single-wall carbon nanohorns

The deactivation rate constant of singlet oxygen 1O2 by single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) was determined. The estimated rate constant by SWNHs, 8 × 104 L g−1 s−1, was significantly larger than the physical quenching rate constant by α-Tocopherol, 0.9 × 104 L g−1 s−1. The origin of this remarkable efficiency of SWNHs for 1O2 deactivation is ascribed to the unique curvature of the graphitic tube in their horn shaped structure.