Oriented, polymer-stabilized carbon nanotube films: influence of dispersion rheology

Visualizing the Orientation of Single Polymers Induced by Spin-Coating

The orientation of chains within polymeric materials influences their electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. While many techniques can infer the orientation distribution of a bulk ensemble, it is challenging to determine this information at the single-chain level, particularly in an environment of otherwise identical polymers. Here, we use single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) to visualize the directions of chains within spin-coated polymer films. We find a strong relationship between shear force and the degree and direction of orientation, and additionally, we reveal the effects of chain length and solvent evaporation rate. This work utilizes single-chain resolution to observe the important, though often overlooked, property of chain orientation in the common fabrication process of spin-coating.

Single-Step Integration of Poly(3-Octylthiophene) and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Highly Reproducible Paper-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes

Calibration of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) is cumbersome, time-consuming, and constitutes a significant limitation for the development of single-use and wearable disposable sensors. To address this problem, we have studied the effect of ion-selective membrane solvent on ISE reproducibility by comparing tetrahydrofuran (THF) (a typical solvent for membrane preparation) and cyclohexanone. In addition, a single-step integration of semiconducting/transducer polymer poly(3-octylthiophene) (POT) with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into the paper-based ISEs (PBISEs) substrate was introduced. PBISEs for potassium and sodium ions were developed, and these ISEs present outstanding sensor performance and high potential reproducibility, as low as ±1.0 mV (n = 3).

Nanohelices from planar polymer self-assembled in carbon nanotubes

The polymer possessing with planar structure can be activated and guided to encapsulate the inner space of SWNT and form a helix through van der Waals interaction and the π-π stacking effect between the polymer and the inner surface of SWNT. The SWNT size, the nanostructure and flexibility of polymer chain are all determine the final structures. The basic interaction between the polymer and the nanotubes is investigated, and the condition and mechanism of the helix-forming are explained particularly. Hybrid polymers improve the ability of the helix formation. This study provides scientific basis for fabricating helical polymers encapsulated in SWNTs and eventually on their applications in various areas.

Lightweight, Flexible, High-Performance Carbon Nanotube Cables Made by Scalable Flow Coating

Coaxial cables for data transmission are ubiquitous in telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and robotics industries. Yet, the metals used to make commercial cables are unsuitably heavy and stiff. These undesirable traits are particularly problematic in aerospace applications, where weight is at a premium and flexibility is necessary to conform with the distributed layout of electronic components in satellites and aircraft. The cable outer conductor (OC) is usually the heaviest component of modern data cables; therefore, exchanging the conventional metallic OC for lower weight materials with comparable transmission characteristics is highly desirable. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently been proposed to replace the metal components in coaxial cables; however, signal attenuation was too high in prototypes produced so far. Here, we fabricate the OC of coaxial data cables by directly coating a solution of CNTs in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) onto the cable inner dielectric. This coating has an electrical conductivity that is approximately 2 orders of magnitude greater than the best CNT OC reported in the literature to date. This high conductivity makes CNT coaxial cables an attractive alternative to commercial cables with a metal (tin-coated copper) OC, providing comparable cable attenuation and mechanical durability with a 97% lower component mass.

Interfacial Layer Properties of a Polyaromatic Compound and its Role in Stabilizing Water-in-Oil Emulsions

Physical properties of interfacial layers formed at the xylene-water interface by the adsorption of a polyaromatic organic compound, N-(1-hexylheptyl)-N'-(5-carbonylicpentyl) perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic bisimide (in brief, C5Pe), were studied systematically. The deprotonation of the carboxylic group of C5Pe at alkaline pH made it highly interfacially active, significantly reducing the xylene-water interfacial tension. Thin liquid film experiments showed a continuous buildup of heterogeneous C5Pe interfacial layers at the xylene-water interfaces, which contributed to the formation of stable W/O emulsions. Continual accumulation and rearrangement of C5Pe aggregates at the xylene-water interface to form a thick layer was confirmed by in situ Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The rheology measurement of the interfacial layer by double-wall ring interfacial rheometry under oscillatory shear showed that the interfacial layers formed from C5Pe solutions of high concentrations were substantially more elastic and rigid. The presence of elastically dominant interfacial layers of C5Pe led to the formation of stable water-in-xylene emulsions.

Using in-situ polymerization of conductive polymers to enhance the electrical properties of solution-processed carbon nanotube films and fibers

Single-walled carbon nanotubes/polymer composites typically have limited conductivity due to a low concentration of nanotubes and the insulating nature of the polymers used. Here we combined a method to align carbon nanotubes with in-situ polymerization of conductive polymer to form composite films and fibers. Use of the conducting polymer raised the conductivity of the films by 2 orders of magnitude. On the other hand, CNT fiber formation was made possible with in-situ polymerization to provide more mechanical support to the CNTs from the formed conducting polymer. The carbon nanotube/conductive polymer composite films and fibers had conductivities of 3300 and 170 S/cm, respectively. The relatively high conductivities were attributed to the polymerization process, which doped both the SWNTs and the polymer. In-situ polymerization can be a promising solution-processable method to enhance the conductivity of carbon nanotube films and fibers.

Aligned SWNT films from low-yield stress gels and their transparent electrode performance

Carbon nanotube films are promising for transparent electrodes for solar cells and displays. Large-area alignment of the nanotubes in these films is needed to minimize the sheet resistance. We present a novel coating method to coat high-density, aligned nanotubes over large areas. Carbon nanotube gel dispersions used in this study have aligned domains and a low yield stress. A simple shearing force allows these domains to uniformly align. We use this to correlate the transparent electrode performance of single-walled carbon nanotube films with the level of partial alignment. We have found that the transparent electrode performance improves with increasing levels of alignment and in a manner slightly better than what has been previously predicted.