Metal nanoparticle deposition by adsorption can be manipulated by controlling the isoelectric point near the solid surface. HiPco single-walled carbon nanotubes (p-SWNTs) were successfully functionalized with NO₂, -COOH and maleic anhydride (MA) groups and characterized with XPS, Raman and ATR-IR spectroscopies. Measured points of zero charge (PZCs) for NO₂-SWNTs, p-SWNTs, MA-SWNTs and COOH-SWNTs were found to be at pH = 4.8, 3.5, 2.0 and 1.2, respectively. Trends in the PZCs coincide with the electron withdrawing or donating characteristics of the tethered functional groups. The amplitudes of the uv-vis-NIR E₁₁ semi-conducting bands of the modified SWNT vary according to increasing PZC. These results suggest that selection of electronic structure by surface chemical modification can play a role governing surface electrostatic effects relevant for adsorption of metal nanoparticle precursors.