title: Electrophoretic Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes on 3-Amino-Propyl-Triethoxysilane (APTES) Surface Functionalized Silicon Substrates.
abstract: Fabrication of uniform thin coatings of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on semiconductor (silicon) substrates with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) surface functionalization has been studied extensively in this report. The gradual deposition and eventual film formation of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is greatly assisted by the Coulombic force of attraction existing between the positively charged -NH₂ surface groups of APTES and the acid treated, negatively charged nanotubes migrating towards the deposition surfaces. The remarkable deposition characteristics of the CNT coatings by EPD in comparison to the dip coating method and the influence of isopropyl (IPA)-based CNT suspension in the fabricated film quality has also been revealed in this study. The effect of varying APTES concentration (5%-100%) on the Raman spectroscopy and thickness of the deposited CNT film has been discussed in details, as well. The deposition approach has eliminated the need of metal deposition in the electrophoretic deposition approach and, therefore, establishes a cost-effective, fast and entirely room temperature-based fabrication strategy of CNT thin films for a wide range of next generation electronic applications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Louisiana State University, 3101 P. F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. asarka4@lsu.edu.
authors.forename: Anirban
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.affiliation: Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Louisiana State University, 3101 P. F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. tdrace@lsu.edu.
authors.forename: Theda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daniels-Race
keywords: APTES  (3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane); acid reflux; carbon nanotubes; electrophoretic deposition (EPD); surface functionalization