Field and temperature dependent electron transport properties of random network single walled and multi walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Field and temperature dependent electron transport properties of random network single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated and compared. The electrical characterizations of drop casted CNT samples were done by two probe measurements by varying temperatures from 80 K to 300 K in the field region 1–400 V cm−1. The charge transport mechanisms at low (<3.5 V) and high (>3.5 V) fields were analyzed from measured I–V characteristic curves at various temperatures (<300 K) with respect to applied field. At low field, the ohmic behavior was observed and at high field the charge transport appears to be Poole–Frenkel type in both types of CNTs network. Electron–electron and electron–phonon scatterings in the localized defect states dominate in SWCNTs, whereas in MWCNTs the delocalization of charge carriers as well as the scattering centers is responsible due to the presence of inner shells. Because of the different nature of chirality in random network, the SWCNTs displayed lower conduction when compared to MWCNTs. The variation in Poole–Frenkel co-efficient (β) (SWCNTs-0.193 × 10−22; MWCNTs-0.089 07 × 10−22 J V1/2 cm−1/2), activation energy (SWCNTs-90 meV; MWCNTs-60 meV for field of ) and trap energy levels (SWCNTs-109 meV; MWCNTs-37 meV) are discussed for both SWCNTs and MWCNTs.