Formation of carbon nanotube yarn by gas discharge breakdown

Abstract

This study reports an efficient method of forming centimeter-long carbon nanotube (CNT) filaments using gas discharge breakdown. This method uses a multielectrode configuration comprising a cathode, an anode, a collection and auxiliary electrodes. The gas discharge breakdown generated between the anode and cathode coated with CNTs create a large amount of CNT dust. The auxiliary electrode controls the flow of the CNT dust formed by the gas discharge breakdown. The CNT dust finally reaches the collection electrode, and many CNT filaments longer than 20 mm are formed. By rotating the collection electrode and twisting the plural CNT filaments, the formation of CNT yarn is possible. This method is based on a novel self-assembly CNT filament formation phenomenon and enables a simple and more efficient CNT spinning than the conventional methods. Additionally, this method may enable the spinning of CNTs that are difficult to spin by the conventional methods.