Films of bare single-walled carbon nanotubes from superacids with tailored electronic and photoluminescence properties.
The use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in fabricating macroscopic devices requires addressing the challenges of nanotube individualization and organization in the desired functional architectures. Previous success in depositing bare SWCNTs from chlorosulfonic acid onto silicon oxide microporous and mesoporous nanoparticles has motivated this study of their deposition onto fused silica substrates. A facile dip-coating method is reported that produces thin homogeneous films in which the carbon nanotubes are not covered by surfactants or shortened by sonication. Photophysical, electrical, chemical, and morphological properties of these SWCNT films have been characterized. When prepared at low densities, the films exhibit near-IR photoluminescence from individualized SWCNTs, whereas when prepared at high densities the films behave as transparent conductors. Sheet resistance of 471 ohm/sq has been achieved with film transmittance of ∼ 86%.
Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 S. Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
Avishek
A
Saha
Saunab
S
Ghosh
R Bruce
RB
Weisman
Angel A
AA
Martí
D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D049449:Luminescence; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
D000143:Acids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008567:Membranes, Artificial