Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Research Articles

High-Performance Dual-Gate Transistors Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotubes.

Aligned carbon nanotubes (A-CNTs), with atomic-scale thickness and ultrahigh carrier mobility, hold promise for constructing future sub-1 nm node integrated circuits (ICs) with higher speed and lower power consumption. However, the fabricated A-CNT transistors often suffer from the disorder of high-density CNT, which degrade the off-characteristic deviating significantly from theoretical values. Introducing a dual-gate (DG) configuration can provide higher gate control efficiency compared to conventional single-gate (SG) transistors and is expected to enhance the overall performance of A-CNT transistors. However, the reported A-CNT dual-gate field-effect transistors (DG-FETs) still exhibit nonideal switching behavior, and systematic exploration and optimizations for constructing high-performance A-CNT DG structures have been lacking so far. In this work, we conducted a detailed study on the matching issues between the top-gate (TG) and bottom-gate (BG) stacks. By optimizing the gate metal materials and dielectric layer thickness, we enabled 20 nm channel A-CNT DG-FETs to achieve leading switching characteristics, including an on-state current density (Ion) of up to 1.47 mA/μm, a peak transconductance (Gm) of 2 mS/μm, a subthreshold slope (SS) as low as 83 mV/decade, and a current on/off ratio of 106. This study provides critical experimental guidance for constructing outstanding A-CNT DG-FETs at advanced technology nodes to compete with cutting-edge silicon-based chips and is also valid for two-dimensional channels.

Scaling of N-Type Field-Effect Transistors Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays.

Wafer-scale aligned carbon nanotubes (A-CNTs) are promising candidate semiconductors for building high-performance complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors for future integrated circuits (ICs). A-CNT-based p-type field-effect transistors (P-FETs) have demonstrated excellent performance and scalability down to sub-10 nm nodes. However, the development of A-CNT n-type FETs (N-FETs) lags far behind, in regard to their electronic performance and device scaling. In this work, we fabricated top-gated N-FETs based on A-CNTs with a scandium (Sc)-contacted source and drain. High-performance A-CNT N-FETs were demonstrated with record on-state current (Ion) exceeding 1 mA/μm and peak transconductance (gm) of 0.4 mS/μm. Interestingly, the A-CNT N-FETs exhibited abnormal scaling behavior owing to the lateral oxidation of low-work function source/drain contacts, leading to formidable challenges to scale both the gate length (Lg) and the contact length (Lc) at the same time. Understanding of the abnormal scaling behavior contributes to seeking solutions for high-performance A-CNT N-FETs, and it paves the way for future CNT CMOS digital IC technology.

Machine learning for nano-level defect detection in aligned random carbon nanotubes-reinforced electrically conductive nanocomposite

Machine learning allows fast nano-scale defect detection in polymer-impregnated aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites. Digital twins were populated by TEM-validated geometry; considered defects were flat cracks and close-to-spherical voids. Finite-element analysis of piezoresistive response was conducted by embedment of CNT network into matrix. Identification of a defect by change in CNT network piezoresistivity was challenged by: (1) randomness of CNTs’ shapes and placement, ML training happened on random realisations; (2) high strength of CNTs leading to the preservation of conductive paths along CNTs and changes only in conductivities of tunnelling contacts. “Artificial approximation“ was introduced to economise computer time multi-fold: ML was trained on cases with artificially degraded tunnelling conductivities within the defect. Three ML models: XGBoost, fully connected, and convolution neural networks were employed. All models managed the task for near-spherical voids, but performed poorly for flat cracks, due to the limited number of tunnelling contacts in crack volume. When trained on the mixed set of voids and cracks, both neural networks demonstrated the ability to learn the difference and detected even cracks, while XGBoost was not up to the challenge. By metrics, the convolutional neural network demonstrated the highest accuracy of predictions.

Effects of Iron Catalyst Size on the Growth Behavior of Vertical Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Effects of Iron Catalyst Size on the Growth Behavior of Vertical Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Morphological Evolution of Atomic Layer Deposited Hafnium Oxide on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays.

Microscopic study of the nucleation and growth of atomic layer deposition (ALD) dielectrics onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is an essential while challenging task toward high-performance devices. Here, we capture the morphological evolution and growth behaviors of ALD-HfO2 onto SiO2/Si-supported aligned CNT arrays (A-CNTs) under three ALD recipes via cross-sectional high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The HfO2 in ALD I (200 °C) preferentially nucleates on the SiO2 substrate in heterogeneous growth mode, resulting in films with considerable pinholes, while ALD II (90 °C) and III (90 °C and extra H2O presoak) exhibit homogeneous growth with nucleation on both SiO2 and CNTs, yielding uniform films. Arrangement defects in A-CNTs exacerbate nonuniformity of HfO2 and tube-tube separation plays deterministic roles affecting the HfO2-CNT interfacial morphology. Electrical measurements from A-CNTs metaloxide-semiconductor devices validate these findings. Our investigation contributes valuable insights for optimizing ALD processes for enhanced dielectric integration on A-CNTs in next-generation electronics.

Self – assembled aligned single – walled carbon nanotubes as an anisotropic polarizer and saturable absorber in erbium-doped femtosecond fiber laser

We report the production of a saturable absorber (SA) based on aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes SWCNTs by the self-assembly method. The ultrafast saturation behavior of prepared aligned and random nanostructures shows an increase of modulation depth by 6% due to the alignment method. We also observed the dependence of aligned SWCNTs loss on the polarization direction of laser radiation. All-fiber Er-doped hybrid mode-locked fiber laser was demonstrated based on the aligned /random SWCNTs-based SAs. We achieved the generation of stable stretched pulses with a pulse duration of 490/569 fs and an average output power of 20.7/18.25 mW. We also investigated the advantages of using aligned SWCNTs compared to the typical structure with random tube distribution. We show that the use of aligned SWCNTs film increased the SNR by 24.5, decreased the mode-locking threshold power by 42 mW, and decreased the RIN level by (20-25) dB in the frequency range [∼ 0 Hz- 100 kHz] and ∼ 8 dB in the range [100 kHz – 1 MHz].

Calibrated absolute optical contrast for high-throughput characterization of horizontally aligned carbon nanotube arrays

Horizontally aligned carbon nanotube (HACNT) arrays hold significant potential for various applications in nanoelectronics and material science. However, their high-throughput characterization remains challenging due to the lack of methods with both high efficiency and high accuracy. Here, we present a novel technique, Calibrated Absolute Optical Contrast (CAOC), achieved through the implementation of differential principles to filter out stray signals and high-resolution calibration to endow optical contrast with physical significance. CAOC offers major advantages over previous characterization techniques, providing consistent and reliable measurements of HACNT array density with high throughput and non-destructive assessment. To validate its utility, we demonstrate wafer-scale uniformity assessment by rapid density mapping. This technique not only facilitates the practical evaluation of HACNT arrays but also provides insights into balancing high throughput and high resolution in nanomaterial characterization.

Selective Synthesis of 3D Aligned VO2 and V2O5 Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Materials by Chemical Vapor Deposition.

3D carbon nanotube hybrid materials containing VO2 and V2O5 evenly distributed onto vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) is reported. Adjustable loading of particles in controllable sizes onto the VACNTs was developed via a stepwise chemical vapour deposition (CVD) approach. Solid VO(acac)2 is chosen as vanadium source. CO2 acts as reactive gas for the pre-functionalisation of the VACNTs. The process temperature was identified as key parameter to control the deposited vanadium oxide phase. A temperature of 550°C results in monoclinic VO2, while 600 °C results in the deposition of V2O5 onto the VACNT support. The morphology and the amount of deposited material was found to be dependent on the reactor dimensions and the degree of functionalization of the carbon support. An increase of the D/G ratio of the VACNT from 0.75 to 1.08 caused by a CO2 treatment step within the process led to an increase of the particle coverage from a scarce coverage without prior CO2 treatment to a dense coverage of the VACNT support after 15 min of CO2 exposure time. Size and crystallinity of the as deposited particles can be further adjusted by a controlled heat treatment after VO(acac)2 precursor deposition.

IFN-γ and IL-10 Immunosensor with Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Interdigitated Electrodes toward Pen-Side Cattle Paratuberculosis Monitoring.

Highly sensitive vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VANTAs) interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays are developed for electrochemical biosensing of two cytokines (i.e., interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)) that are useful for early detection Johne's disease (Bovine Paratuberculosis) in cattle. The high aspect ratio VANTA-IDEs (50-60µm in height) are grown through a chemical vapor deposition process from an iron (Fe) catalyst that is lithographically patterned on a silicon wafer with equal finger width and inter-finger spacing of 25µm. After functionalization with distinct antibodies the VANTA-IDEs are capable of selective detection of both IL-10 and IFN-γ within an actual biological matrix (i.e., diluted bovine implant supernatant) over concentration ranges of 0.1 to 30 pgmL-1 (limit of detection - LOD: 0.0911 pgmL-1) and 50-500 pgmL-1 (LOD: 24.17 pgmL-1), respectively with a response time of <35 min. Results demonstrate important initial steps for rapid, pen-side identification of cattle with stage-I Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection before physical symptoms of Johne's disease are present. Such a rapid pen-side diagnostic test can be used on cattle at an auction or before they are introduced to a herd to ensure the larger population does not become infected with Johne's disease.

Gate-tunable optical anisotropy in wafer-scale, aligned carbon nanotube films

Gate-tunable optical anisotropy in wafer-scale, aligned carbon nanotube films

Water assisted atmospheric CVD super growth of vertically aligned CNT forest for supercapacitor application

We report a high growth rate (37 μm/min) synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forest, achieving remarkable height exceeding a millimetre with good crystallinity. VACNTs with few numbers of walls have been grown over Fe–Co/Al2O3/SiO2 coated Si wafer using the water assisted atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (WACVD) method. The key to this success lies in the synergistic combination of a bimetallic catalyst (Fe-Co) with buffer Al2O3 layer and the WACVD method. Notably, the VACNT forest, synthesised at optimized conditions can be directly used without the need for additional post-growth purification processes, eliminating the risk of potential damage to the CNTs. Finally, the VACNT forest exhibits excellent areal capacitance of 133.33 mF/cm2 at a current density of 1 mA/cm2 with outstanding cyclic stability of 130 % @ 3000 cycles.

Nanoscale Heat Transport of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Bundles for Thermal Management Applications.

Electronic devices continue to shrink in size while increasing in performance, making excess heat dissipation challenging. Traditional thermal interface materials (TIMs) such as thermal grease and pads face limitations in thermal conductivity and stability, particularly as devices scale down. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as promising candidates for TIMs because of their exceptional thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. However, the thermal conductivity of CNT films decreases when integrated into devices due to defects and bundling effects. This study employs a novel cross-sectional approach combining high-vacuum scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) with beam-exit cross-sectional polishing (BEXP) to investigate the nanoscale morphology and thermal properties of vertically aligned CNT bundles at low and room temperatures. Using appropriate thermal transport models, we extracted effective thermal conductivities of the vertically aligned nanotubes and obtained 4 W m-1 K-1 at 200 K and 37 W m-1 K-1 at 300 K. Additionally, non-negligible lateral thermal conductance between CNT bundles suggests more complex heat transfer mechanisms in these structures. These findings provide unique insights into nanoscale thermal transport in CNT bundles, which is crucial for optimizing novel thermal management strategies.

Aligned Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes for Commercial Logic and RF Electronics

Carbon nanotubes are exceptional semiconductors that offer larger current densities and faster switching than conventional Si and GaAs devices, making nanotubes promising for meeting the performance and energy efficiency needs of next-generation electronics. However, the successful commercialization of carbon nanotubes necessitates the control over semiconducting purity, alignment, packing density, and scalability. The simultaneous control of these characteristics has been a major challenge preventing the integration of nanotubes in industrial electronics and the full exploitation of their electronic properties. This talk will present an overview of recent technological developments and methods that progress towards these goals.In these methods, semiconducting (purity of >99.99%) carbon nanotubes are deposited on target substrates via scalable alignment methods at room temperatures. These individual methods separately enable the deposition of quasi-aligned (±28°) nanotube arrays (~50 nanotubes µm-1) demonstrated across 100 mm substrates, highly-aligned (±6°) nanotube arrays (~100 nanotubes µm-1) demonstrated across 100 mm substrates, and the selective-area deposition of highly-aligned nanotube (±7°) arrays (~up to 250 nanotubes µm-1). The nanotube arrays with high packing density (~250 nanotubes μm-1) yield exceptional current densities of 2 mA μm-1 and transconductances of 1 mS μm-1 at VD of -0.6V. Importantly, due to the low-temperature nature of the deposition processes, these techniques offer a direct path towards the alignment of carbon nanotubes directly on Si and other materials, such as GaN or plastics, to enable high-performance 3D integrated circuits.

Synthesis of Wafer-Scale SWCNT Forests with Remarkably Invariant Structural Properties in a Bulk-Diffusion-Controlled Kinetic Regime

Robust synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT) at large scale is required to accelerate deployment of numerous cutting-edge devices to emerging commercial applications.1 Large-area single-walled (SW) CNT forests with high densities and small diameters are especially important for many applications, yet they are conspicuously absent from the literature due to reproducibility and synthesis challenges, which are further exacerbated when flexible metal foils are used as support instead of traditional Si or quartz wafers. To address this need, we demonstrate that the structural characteristics of SWCNTs produced in a growth regime dominated by bulk diffusion of the gaseous carbon precursor are remarkably invariant over a broad range of process conditions (precursor concentration increased up to 30-fold, catalyst substrate area from 1 cm2 to 180 cm2, growth pressure from 20 to 790 mbar, and gas flowrates up to 8-fold).2 Forests structural properties are also preserved when growth is transitioned from Si wafers to Inconel metal foils.3 We show that a simple growth kinetics model that accounts for both reactant bulk diffusion and competing byproduct formation in the presence of excess hydrogen quantitatively reproduces the experimental data in the entire isothermal parameter space. The model enables critical predictions for process scale-up optimization including a potential 6-fold increase in CNT production rate, a ~ 90% carbon conversion efficiency in select conditions, and elimination of reaction rate decay observed at high pressures by using a hydrogen-free growth environment. This model-guided opportunity to substantially improve synthesis throughput and efficiency, in conjunction with the remarkably invariant CNT properties on both metal and insulating substrates, is appealing for reliable VACNT device fabrication at both small and industrial scales.This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. References Rao, R.; Pint, C. L.; Islam, A. E.; Weatherup, R. S.; Hofmann, S.; Meshot, E. R.; Wu, F.; Zhou, C.; Dee, N.; Amama, P. B.; Carpena-Nuñez, J.; Shi, W.; Plata, D. L.; Penev, E. S.; Yakobson, B. I.; Balbuena, P. B.; Bichara, C.; Futaba, D. N.; Noda, S.; Shin, H.; Kim, K. S.; Simard, B.; Mirri, F.; Pasquali, M.; Fornasiero, F.; Kauppinen, E. I.; Arnold, M.; Cola, B. A.; Nikolaev, P.; Arepalli, S.; Cheng, H.-M.; Zakharov, D. N.; Stach, E. A.; Zhang, J.; Wei, F.; Terrones, M.; Geohegan, D. B.; Maruyama, B.; Maruyama, S.; Li, Y.; Adams, W. W.; Hart, A. J. Carbon Nanotubes and Related Nanomaterials: Critical Advances and Challenges for Synthesis toward Mainstream Commercial Applications. ACS Nano 2018, 12, 11756-11784.Park, S. J.; Moyer-Vanderburgh, K.; Buchsbaum, S. F.; Meshot, E. R.; Jue, M. L.; Wu, K. J.; Fornasiero, F. Synthesis of wafer-scale SWCNT forests with remarkably invariant structural properties in a bulk-diffusion-controlled kinetic regime. Carbon 2023, 201, 745-755.Moyer-Vanderburgh, K.; Ma, M. C.; Park, S. J.; Jue, M. L.; Buchsbaum, S. F.; Wu, K. J.; Wood, M.; Ye, J.; Fornasiero, F. Growth and Performance of High-Quality SWCNT Forests on Inconel Foils as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022, 14, 54981-54991.

Carbon Nanotube-Based Catalyst Modification to Improve Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Interlayer Interactions

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) were identified as a highly viable solution for addressing climate-related issues. Previous theoretical investigations have underscored the significance of Pt nanoparticles as the optimal metal for hydrogen fuel cell catalysts due to their special activity and selectivity. [1] Current works focused on the utilisation, durability, and site activity of Pt particles on support, and most of the schemes achieved performance enhancement by loading Pt onto porous support with different morphology such as graphene, carbon fibre, and carbon black. [2] Some schemes have also incorporated cost considerations to achieve lower Pt loading. [3] However, the design of the catalyst layer (CL) structure in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) must consider the interactions between the layers.Addressing the crucial aspects of water management, low contact resistance, and the establishment of effective three-phase boundary for MEA, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are a promising CL support due to their intrinsically high hydrophobicity, high axial electrical conductivity, and potential for ordered alignment. [4] However, the drawbacks of MWCNTs such as strong agglomeration, wall surface chemical inertness, and unopened ends are unfavourable for Pt nanoparticle loading, which is detrimental to MEA processing and leads to inhomogeneous CL surfaces. This further deteriorates the utilisation of Pt and increases the contact resistance. Previous efforts have explored methods such as introduction of polar functional groups on MWCNT using strong reflux oxidation condition, or nitrogen doping to construct localised pyridine structure. [5, 6] However, over-functionalisation can cause MWCNT to lose its favourable structure and properties.In this work, MWCNT was modified based on the operational requirements of the MEA from the viewpoint of interlayer interactions, including the search for the optimal degree of oxidation, N-doping, and micro-arrangement. MWCNT were functionalise by oxidising, N-doping, as well as micro-alignment to achieve lower contact resistance between CL and proton exchange membrane (PEM), better hydrophobicity, and enhanced performance. Furthermore, this work expects to construct a more continuously distributed three-phase boundary by aligning MWCNT to form a locally ordered structure, which is essential for the efficient utilisation of Pt active sites.Preliminary experiments in this work have tested a range of reflux oxidation conditions for MWCNT treated with concentrated nitric acid ranging from 0 to 10 h. The maximum power density of 979.81 mw cm-2 was achieved by Pt loading on 6h MWCNT oxidation time (Pt-MWCNT 6h). This represented a 59.53% improvement over the commercial Pt/C catalyst of 614.17 (mw cm-2) (Figure 1 (a)). In addition, due to the stronger electrical conductivity, the charge transfer resistance of Pt-MWCNT6h in the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test was 0.09 Ohm cm-2, which was 48.86% lower than that of Pt/C (Figure 1 (b)). This study will discuss the developed catalysts and their efficacy in a working fuel cell system.In conclusion, this research proposed alternative perspectives on the design of the CL based on the actual operational characteristics of MEA with emphasised on the interlayer interaction between CL and other layer. Additionally, the research will validate the impact of low-functionalization modification of MWCNTs on the performance of PEMFC, which simplifying the preparation challenges of CL and contributing for the widespread commercial application of PEMFCs on a larger scale. References Seh, Z.W., et al., Combining theory and experiment in electrocatalysis: Insights into materials design. Science, 2017. 355(6321): p. eaad4998.Sui, S., et al., A comprehensive review of Pt electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: Nanostructure, activity, mechanism and carbon support in PEM fuel cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2017. 5(5): p. 1808-1825.Tian, Z.Q., et al., A Highly Order-Structured Membrane Electrode Assembly with Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes for Ultra-Low Pt Loading PEM Fuel Cells. Advanced Energy Materials, 2011. 1(6): p. 1205-1214.Lehman, J.H., et al., Evaluating the characteristics of multiwall carbon nanotubes. Carbon, 2011. 49(8): p. 2581-2602.Hernández-Fernández, P., et al., Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and application as supports for electrocatalysts in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2010. 99(1): p. 343-352.Gribov, E.N., et al., Effect of modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with nitrogen-containing polymers on the electrochemical performance of Pt/CNT catalysts in PEMFC. Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2019. 8(1): p. 7. Figure 1

Mobility of dislocations in carbon nanotube bundles

Horizontally aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a unique combination of mechanical and physical properties and find numerous applications. The shear deformation of a horizontally aligned CNT bundle is studied under plane-strain conditions using the method of molecular dynamics. The CNTs in the bundle are not perfectly packed, and it is important to see how defects alter the mechanisms of their deformation under applied load. The defects in the form of edge dislocations are introduced into the bundle. It is found that the dislocation core structure depends on the CNT diameter, as the deformability of the CNT cross section increases with the diameter. Different deformation mechanisms (dislocation sliding or cracking) are revealed in the bundles with CNTs of different diameters. The results presented describe how the dislocation core structure affects the dislocation mobility in CNT bundles and the mechanisms of their deformation.

Evaluation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes alignment during 3D printing of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) nanocomposite filaments

Nanocomposites incorporated with one-dimensional electrical conductive materials such as carbon nanotubes have been used in many applications in various industries. In this research, the filaments made of poly (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) containing 1, 3, and 5 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were first prepared and then printed in three directions and two printing speeds. The rheological and electrical percolation thresholds were found to take place at 0.32 and 0.96 wt% MWCNT, respectively. Using the Casson plot, it was revealed that the yield stress of the nanocomposites containing 5 wt% MWCNT was 70 times higher than that of the pristine ABS. The results also indicated that the electrical resistance decreased from 17.4 to 6.8 Ω with the increase in printing speed from 4 to 20 mm/s, respectively. The alignment of the nanofillers was examined using X-ray diffraction method. It was found from the azimuth angle that the materials printed at higher printing speed had more orientation, with respect to the director, in comparison with that of printed at lower speed.

Insights into Cis-Amide-Modified Carbon Nanotubes for Selective Purification of CH4 and H2 from Gas Mixtures: A Comparative DFT Study.

Among a plethora of mixtures, the methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) mixture has garnered considerable attention for multiple reasons, especially in the framework of energy production and industrial processes as well as ecological considerations. Despite the fact that the CH4/H2 mixture performs many critical tasks, the presence of other gases, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds like H2S, and water vapor, leads to many undesirable consequences. Thus purification of this mixture from these gases assumes considerable relevance. In the current research, first-principle calculations in the frame of density functional theory are carried out to propose a new functional group for vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) interacting preferentially with polar molecules rather than CH4 and H2 in order to obtain a more efficient methane and hydrogen separations The binding energies associated with the interactions between several chemical groups and target gases were calculated first, and then a functional group formed by a modified ethylene glycol and acetyl amide was selected. This functional group was attached to the CNT edge with an appropriate diameter, and hence the binding energies with the target gases and steric hindrance were evaluated. The binding energy of the most polar molecule (H2O) was found to be more than six times higher than that of H2, indicating a significant enhancement of the nanotube tip's affinity toward polar gases. Thus, this functionalization is beneficial for enhancing the capability of highly packed functionalized VA-CNT membranes to purify CH4/H2 gas mixtures.

Effect of CNT Oxidation on the Processing and Properties of Superacid-Spun CNT Fibers.

Spinning fibers from carbon nanotube (CNT)/superacid dispersions has emerged as a promising strategy for industrial-scale production of high-performance CNT fibers (CNTFs). The oxygen content and types of functional groups on CNT surfaces significantly influence dispersion, assembly processes, and fiber properties. In this study, Tuball-SWCNTs were purified and oxidized at varying levels. The dispersion behavior of CNTs with different oxidation levels in chlorosulfonic acid was systematically observed, and the mechanical properties of fibers spun from these dispersions were compared. By adjusting the dispersion concentration, highly oriented CNTFs were produced with a specific strength of 1.03 N/tex, a tensile strength of 1.59 GPa, and an electrical conductivity of 3.58 MS/m. Further investigations indicated that oxygen-containing functional groups decrease the coagulation rate, increasing the maximum draw ratio during spinning and improving CNT alignment in the fibers. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that these functional groups (-OH, -COOH) enhance load transfer between CNTs through hydrogen bonding. This specific strength is the highest achieved using Tuball-SWCNTs for superacid-spun fibers, surpassing previous works due to the oxidation-controlled coagulation rate, enhanced fiber orientation, and improved load transfer via hydrogen bonding. This study provides insights for designing and optimizing high-performance CNTFs.

Impact of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical Properties and Sensing Performance of EVA/CNTs Composites

This study investigated the mechanical and sensing properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites in both film and fiber forms. The incorporation of aligned CNTs in the composite fibers possess improved mechanical properties and enhanced sensing performance compared to those of composite films with randomly dispersed CNTs. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed promising thermal stability, indicating potential applications for long-term usage. Cyclic tensile testing demonstrated that the fiber samples with better CNT alignment exhibit higher sensitivity, emphasizing the significance of CNT orientation in constructing an efficient conductive network for strain sensing. Considering the contribution of the CNTs orientation along the measuring direction, a model contains modification parameters was proposed, where a master curve was given, revealing the ideal potential of the EVA/CNTs composite fiber with perfectly aligned CNTs. This work provides valuable insights into the influence of CNT alignment on the mechanical and sensing properties of EVA/CNTs composites. The results underscore the importance of optimizing CNT orientation for enhanced sensing performance in various engineering applications.