Surface dispersion and hardening of self-assembled diacetylene nanotubes.

We describe here the first method for dispersion of individual self-assembled diacetylene nanotubes on surfaces. Complete polymerization by UV exposure was achieved as demonstrated by nanotubes that were resistant to aggressive organic solvents and temperatures well above the melting point of the monomer. The polymerized tubes displayed reversible thermochromic and mechanochromic properties.