Solution processed fabrication of single wall carbon nanotubes thin film by electrohydrodynamic atomization deposition technique and its characterization

Abstract

An effective method for the fabrication of thin film of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) using the electro-hydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) deposition technique was demonstrated. In this study, the SWCNT aqueous based dispersion ink was subjected to electrostatic atomization by using an EHDA deposition system. The ink flow visualization under the influence of electric field was performed and the operating EHDA parametric envelope of the ink was explored. Then the deposition of SWCNT through the EHDA process was carried out onto a metallic substrate at a fixed flow rate and corresponding applied voltage thereby achieving thickness ranging from ∼70 to 130 nm by making multiple deposition passes. The microscopic inspection of the film was performed and thin film quality was examined by scanning electron microscope analysis. Finally, electrical behavior of the SWCNT film onto a metallic substrate through temperature dependent current-voltage measurements was investigated. The SWCNT film deposited onto the metallic substrate showed electrical conductivity of ∼2.98 S/cm.