Najeeb C.K., Lee J-H., Chang J., Kim J.H.
Ajou University, KR
Keywords: alignment, single-walled carbon nanotube, thin film
To fabricate large area directional arrangement of SWNTs, we employed two different methods such as self assembly of surface modified SWNTs by drop casting or spin coating and by compressed sliding of SWNT dispersion between two glass slides. First, we prepared individually solubilized nanotubes with rod-like structure using sodiumdeoxycholate (SDC) as dispersant owing to the rigid structure of the steroid rings of SDC, and the further mixed CNT dispersion with 0.1% sodiumdodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) solution, which created negatively charged surface. The SWNT arrays were prepared by drop casting or spin coating thin film of SWNT-SDC/SDBS solution at different ratios of SWNT-SDC dispersion and SDBS solution. Also, SWNT-Ag hybrid array was prepared in similar manner by acquiring rigidity by attaching Ag particles and negative charge using SDBS. In second method, ultrathin films with unidirectional alignment of CNTs were achieved by compressed sliding of SWNT-SDBS dispersion between two glass slides. Sliding of tightly stacked SWNT-SDBS film by mechanical stretching at constant speed rendered unidirectionally aligned highly transparent conductive ultrathin SWNT film in large area. In summary, we have fabricated large area directionally aligned thin films of CNTs by simple methods, which can be used for transparent conductors, touch panel, field emission display applications.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2010: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles, Films and Composites
Published: June 21, 2010
Pages: 199 - 202
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Carbon Nano Structures & Devices
ISBN: 978-1-4398-3401-5