Abstract
Electrically conducting composites are highly sought-after materials. Their capacity to withstand mechanical deformation while simultaneously offering facile charge transport recently opened numerous exploitation fields for them. In this contribution, composites were made from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and ethyl cellulose (EC). Then, a straightforward process of doping involving water vapor was developed and tested over 30 days. The inclusion of water in the EC/SWCNT network resulted in a notable increase in the electrical conductivity from 250 ± 21 S/cm to 905 ± 34 S/cm. Interestingly, doping of the material experienced remarkable stability due to the favorable surface chemistry of the EC filler.
Highlights
Over the last hundred years, the global consumption of primary energy increased by an order of magnitude from 17,963 TWh to 158,839 TWh annually [1], a considerable share of which is converted to electrical energy
The study was initiated by an investigation of the microstructure of the ethyl cellulose (EC)/single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) films by SEM
The results showed that the starting material (Figure 2a) contained interweaved SWCNTs and their bundles, which were distributed therein without any degree of anisotropy
Summary
Over the last hundred years, the global consumption of primary energy increased by an order of magnitude from 17,963 TWh to 158,839 TWh annually [1], a considerable share of which is converted to electrical energy. The process of generation and utilization of electrical energy is inefficient, resulting in the wasting of ca. Since the energy demand is envisioned to keep rising at a staggering rate, there is a need to develop materials that can improve the management of the resources that we currently have at our disposal. Increasing the efficiency of processes around us is unquestionably more ecologically friendly, rather than generating even more electrical energy from primary resources to sustain the progress of civilization. To accomplish this challenge, we need solutions capable of overcoming the limitations of the classical materials surrounding us in our daily life. The invention of carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
