A dispersion includes non-chemically modified carbon nanotubes, a soluble block coploymer providing at least one block of a conjugated polymer, and at least one solvent. at 25 degrees C, exclusive of any mechanical force and after one hour, at least 90% of the carbon nanotubes exist in the dispersion as isolated nanotubes. The compenents of the dispersin can be combined with a polymer miscible with the block copolymer to form a carbon nanotube polymer composite upon removal of the solvent. The dispersion can be cast on a substrate and then dried to form a coating, including forming a superhydrophobic coating on the substrate. The non-conjugated polymer of the block copolymer or another miscible conjugated polymer including a copolymer can include functionalities that non-covalently attach to the carbon nanotube surface, such as for enhanced solubility or enhanced biocompatibility
