A new approach has been developed for the functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The self-assembly of a sugar-based amphiphile on MWNTs was carried out in amino acid solutions. The functionalization of MWNTs has been investigated by means of UV-vis, Raman spectra, FTIR, XPS, XRD, and HRTEM. It has been found that amino acids can promote the self-assembly of the amphiphile on MWNTs and regulate the amount and conformation of the assembled amphiphile. The effect of amino acids on the aggregation of the sugar-based amphiphile on MWNTs was analyzed through FTIR spectra. The specific interactions of f-MWNTs with the protein concanavalin A were investigated through the measurement of UV-vis spectra. This work demonstrates that, the functionalized MWNTs with disaccharide groups on their exterior surface have a good dispersibility in water and are biocompatible, and may have a potential application of biomolecular recognition. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.