Fabrication of ribbon-like films of orientation-controlled carbon nanotube/polymer composite using a robotic dispenser

Abstract

Alignment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in CNT/polymer composite films is an attractive technique to obtain improved electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, their alignment method is still confined to small laboratory scale sample preparation. In this letter, a novel method to prepare a continuous drawing of ribbon-like films of CNT/polymer composite is proposed using a robotic dispenser. We prepared 400–2000 μm wide oriented ribbon of CNT/polymer films that can be used for roll-to-roll processing in length scale. CNTs were found to be aligned along the drawing direction as confirmed by polarized Raman mapping and scanning electron microscope images.