Cell membrane proteins modulate the carbon nanotube optical bandgap via surface charge accumulation

Cell adhesion is a protein-mediated process intrinsic to most living organisms. Dysfunction in cell adhesion processes is implicated in various diseases, including thrombosis and metastatic cancers. Using an approach to resolve spectral features from cell membrane-associated photoluminescent single-walled carbon nanotubes, we found that nanotube optical bandgaps respond to the electrostatic potential of the cell surface, which corresponds to cell adhesion properties. We studied the carbon nanotube emission energy response to solution ionic potentials, which suggests sensitivity to local charge accumulation. We conclude that nanotubes respond to cell surface electrostatic potentials that are mediated by membrane proteins, which vary significantly across cell types. These findings portend the optical measurement of surface electrostatic potentials for biophysical measurements and biomedical applications.