Switching Behavior of the Composite Low Dimensional Structural Hybrids of Carbon After UV Exposure

Abstract

Low dimensional multi structural components of carbon are of great interest currently owing to their applications in developing flexible plastic electronics. In this work, we discuss emergence of different structural hybrids of carbon from as-prepared HiPCO SWCNTs subjecting them to oxidative acid purification and covalent functionalization process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations reveal single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) serve as a building block to obtain multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene sheets (GS), carbon nano scrolls (CNS) structures which coexist in the sample. These structures when grafted with polymer binder and spray coated on Si substrate provide highly sustainable thin film coatings that are stable even in adverse space conditions [1]. These CNT and CNS based composite coatings are promising candidates for stray light control space applications exhibiting a low reflectance of the order of 2-3% in the visible spectral range [1]. Electrical switching behaviour of these films were investigated by capturing current(time) (I(t)) response, displaying promising switching character with distinct ON-OFF cycle. These coatings offer opportunities for the development of facile, cost-effective carbon-based devices without going into the nontrivial task of separating different the structures.