The fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) dispersed in a Nafion鈥搘ater system is studied by means of reversible oxidative quenching with H2O2 and I2 at room temperature. The system is sustainable in alcohol and in salt solutions. A simple one-step method for encapsulating a SWNT/Nafion suspension in silica via the alcohol condensation process is described. Quenching of SWNT fluorescence in the silica composite by H2O2 and by I2 either in water or in air with respect to their concentration and composite dimension is discussed.