Simple Method to Improve Electrical Conductivity of Films Made from Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of sonication for individualization of nanomaterials, its destructive nature is rarely acknowledged. In this study, we demonstrated how exposure of the material to a hostile sound wave environment can be limited by the application of another preprocessing step. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were initially ground in a household coffee grinder, which enabled facile deagglomeration thereof. Such a simple approach enabled us to obtain high-quality CNT dispersion at reduced sonication time. Most importantly, electrical conductivity of free-standing films prepared from these dispersion was improved almost fourfold as compared with unground material eventually reaching 1067 ± 34 S/cm. This work presents a new approach as to how electrical properties of nanocarbon ensembles may be enhanced without the application of doping agents, the presence of which is often ephemeral.

Effective Doping of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Polyethyleneimine

“…In total, the films were put through six immersion-drying-measurement cycles ( Figure 4 a). In the beginning, the SWCNT film had an electrical conductivity of 249 ± 21 S/cm (on par with previous results [ 36 ]), but the exposure to PEI solution gradually increased the conductivity at an exponential pace. After six doping routines, the electrical conductivity of the SWCNT films eventually reached 593 ± 21 S/cm.…”

“…A straightforward method to gauge the level of imperfection in nanocarbon materials is Raman spectroscopy. The ratio of intensities of defect-induced band D (sp 3 carbon atoms) to that of the graphitic vibrations G (sp 2 carbon atoms) quantifies this property [ 36 ]. These features result from various vibrational modes of the curved graphene lattice upon irradiation with laser light of resonance wavelength.…”

Recent advancements in transparent carbon nanotube films: chemistry and imminent challenges

“…Kumanek et al [24] demonstrated how exposure of the material to a hostile sound wave environment can be limited by the application of another preprocessing step. Initially, SWCNTs, were pulverized in a common style grinder, which empowered the de-collection thereof.…”

Enhancing Electrical Conductivity of Composites of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Ethyl Cellulose with Water Vapor

“…A convenient technique to quantify how pristine the SWCNTs are is Raman spectroscopy. Typically, the ratio of the intensities of the D-band (disorder-induced mode) and G-band (tangential mode of sp 2 carbon atoms) is used to reveal such information [ 37 , 38 ].…”