Superhydrophobic carbon nanotube/amorphous carbon nanosphere hybrid film

Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces has been widely investigated due to their wide range of applications. Here, synthesis of self-assembled aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNT)/amorphous carbon (a-C) nanosphere hybrid film is reported. Carbon plasma produced by FCVA was used to deposit a-C nanospheres on the ACNT films fabricated by PECVD. The superhydrophobic properties of the surface was investigated by static contact angle (CA) measurement. It is found that the surface morphology of the film which depends on the size of the a-C nanospheres, has a great influence on the hydrophobic properties of the surface. The hydrodynamic properties of the surface is discussed in terms of both Cassie and Wenzel mechanisms. The microstructure of the films is also investigated by XPS and HRTEM. It is shown that the bombardment of the CNTs with high energy carbon ions will damage the crystalline structure of the CNT walls as well.     

Fabrication of fluorine-terminated diamond-like carbon thin film using a hyperthermal atomic fluorine beam

Surface modification of diamond-like carbon (DLC) film was performed using a hyperthermal atomic fluorine beam on the purpose of production of hydrophobic surface by maintaining the high hardness of DLC film. By the irradiation of atomic fluorine beam of a 1.0 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm², the contact angle of a water drop against the DLC surface increased from 73° to 111°. The formation of CF₃, CF₂ and CF bonding on the modified DLC surface was confirmed from the measurements of X-ray photoelectron spectra and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra. Irradiation of hyperthermal atomic fluorine beam was concluded to produce insulator fluorine-terminated DLC film, which has high F content on the surface, by the taking of the use of neutral atomic beam as a fluorine source.     

Thermo-responsive surface wettability on a pristine carbon nanotube film

A superhydrophobic carbon nanotube (CNT) film is fabricated by a simple spray-coating method without any chemical modification. The superhydrophobic surface changes after heating to a state of superhydrophilic wettability, and such transition may be attributed to the change of electronic structures of CNTs since the surface structure and composition after treated remain the same as the pristine CNTs. The initial wettability state is reestablished within 24 h of storage in air, and the time can be shortened to only 1 min when the heated CNT film was stored in deionized water.     

Superhydrophilicity on nano-rough carbon surfaces achieved by hyperthermal oxygen-atom beam exposure

In order to investigate a method to increase hydrophilicity on nano-rough carbon surfaces, a nano-rough surface of C₆₀ film and an atomically flat surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were oxidized by hyperthermal oxygen-atom beam exposure and the hydrophilicities of the surfaces were investigated. Superhydrophilicity were achieved on these exposed carbon surfaces, which had low O/C ratio of approximately 28% and surface roughness (Ra) of approximately 3 nm. The direct oxidations on sp² bonded carbon atoms (basal plane) of these two carbon materials by the exposure of hyperthermal O-atom beam would contribute the superhydrophilicity.     

A carbon nanotube film as a radio frequency filter

This paper proposes a new concept for the application of carbon nanotubes to electronic devices. A carbon nanotube (150-200 nm width, few μm length) film grown on a metal sensitized quartz surface was modeled using a two-pole lumped element equivalent circuit consisting of a capacitor, an inductor, and two resistors. The capacitor was in series with the inductor resulting in band-stop filter characteristics with a central frequency of 18 MHz. The reactive subcircuit was in parallel with one resistor and in series with the other. The magnitude of the parallel resistance had a large influence on the efficiency of the reactive elements and the filter quality factor. A two-dimensional carbon nanotube film is expected to be suitable in the design of miniaturized RF filters.     

Screen printed carbon nanotube thick film on alumina substrate

In the present study, the properties of screen printed multiwalled carbon nanotube(MWCNT) thick film on alumina substrate has been reported. Adherent thick film of thickness 10 µm was obtained for the first time by the screen printing method. Thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analysis shows that carbon nanotubes were thermally stable in nitrogen atmosphere upto 750 °C. X ray diffraction pattern shows two characteristic peaks at about 26.5°and 54.7°, corresponding to (002) and (004) reflections of graphite structure, respectively. Due to the functionalization process agglomeration of MWCNT was reduced and mesh like surface morphology with non-uniform surface was observed by scanning electron micrograph. The calculated values of real and imaginary microwave permittivity of MWCNT thick film from the straight resonator overlay method are 6.6 and 17.6 respectively     

Electrochemical determination diethylstilbestrol by a single-walled carbon nanotube/platinum nanoparticle composite film electrode

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt_nano) were prepared and used in combination with single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) for fabricating electrochemical sensors with remarkably improved sensitivity toward diethylstilbestrol (DES). The glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with SWNT/Pt_nano composite film exhibited excellent electrochemical behaviors toward the redox of DES. Compared with the bare GC electrode and SWNTs film modified GC electrode, the redox peak currents at the SWNTs/Pt_nano composite film modified GC electrode was enhanced greatly. The experimental parameters, which influence the peak current of DES, were optimized. Under optimal conditions, a linear response of DES was obtained in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ (R = 0.997) and with a limit of detect (LOD) of 1.5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to determine the active ingredient in the DES tablet with satisfactory results.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyimide composite film fabricated through electrophoretic deposition

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polyimide composite films were fabricated through electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of MWCNT-polyamic acid colloidal suspension which was derived from carboxylated-MWCNTs and poly(pyromellitic dianhydride-co-4,4′-oxydianiline) (PMDA-ODA). Under electric field, both negatively charged MWCNTs and PMDA-ODA colloid particles migrate onto a positively charged anode simultaneously, and are converted to a coherent MWCNT/polyimide composite film in the ensuing imidization reaction. Uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the composite film was observed using transmission electron microscopy. The thickness of the prepared composite film can be tuned by varying processing conditions such as deposition time and anode conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the composite film increased with increasing the concentration of MWCNTs in EPD suspension. The mechanical reinforcement of polyimide using MWCNTs was evaluated by tensile testing and nanoindentation testing.     

Polymer/carbon nanotube composite film formation: A fluorescence study

In this study, the effect of multi‐walled Carbon nanotube (MWNT) on film formation behavior of Polystrene (PS) latex film was investigated by using steady state fluorescence technique. Films were prepared by mixing of pyrene (P)‐labeled PS latex with different amounts of MWNTs varying in the range between 0 and 20 wt%. After drying, MWNT containing films were separately annealed above glass transition temperature (T_g) of PS ranging from 100 to 270°C for 10 min. In order to monitor film formation behavior of PS/MWNT composites, Scattered light (I_s) and fluorescence intensities (I_P) from P were measured after each annealing step to monitor the stages of film formation. At 0–20 wt% range of MWNT content films, minimum film formation (T_o), void closure (T_v), and healing, (T_h) temperatures were determined. Void closure and interdiffusion stages were modeled and related activation energies were determined. It was observed that while void closure activation energies increased, backbone activation energies decreased as the percent of MWNT is increased in the composite films. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:817–826, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enhanced field emission properties of a reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanotube hybrid film

A facile vacuum filtration method for the preparation of hybrid films to achieve superior field emission properties from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a bi-functional filler has been proposed. In the hybrid films, CNTs serve as electron emitters, while rGO helps to control the density of the CNT-emitters and reduce electrical resistance of the films. Via controlling volumes of CNTs and rGO dispersions, electron field emission properties of the hybrid films can be easily tailored. Higher weight ratio of rGO:CNT results in better electrical properties and the best field emission property is achieved when a rGO:CNT weight ratio of 1:3 is employed. The hybrid film reveals a significant improvement in field emission properties, as compared with the CNT film without adding rGO. Decreases in sheet resistance, turn-on field, and threshold field are attributed to the formation of extended conjugated network between CNTs and rGO in association with the reduction of screening effect through the optimization of density of CNT-emitters. The concept that rGO can be employed to control the density of CNT emitters will be of special interest for field emission enhancement.     

Production of collimated MeV electron beam in carbon nanotube array irradiated by super-intense femtosecond laser

A super-intense 30 fs laser pulse (peak power: 286 TW) is focused on a ∼1 mm thick carbon nanotube (CNT) array and a collimated MeV electron beam is detected at rear of CNT array. Most of these fast electrons are in a beam of divergence angle lower than 2° that is one order of magnitude lower than the MeV electron divergence (30–50°) in the general laser-matter interaction experiments. By simulation, we capture the detailed behaviors of fast electrons in CNT array. It is found that the fast electron pulse excites a strong electric field perpendicular to the tube axis in conductive CNT array that guides these ultra-hot electrons to propagate along the CNT and collimates the divergent fast electron beam into a tight beam. These results show a method to generate collimated and even focused MeV electron beams by using CNTs.     

A flexible graphene/multiwalled carbon nanotube film as a high performance electrode material for supercapacitors

A flexible graphene/multiwalled carbon nanotube (GN/MWCNT) film has been fabricated by flow-directed assembly from a complex dispersion of graphite oxide (GO) and pristine MWCNTs followed by the use of gas-based hydrazine to reduce the GO into GN sheets. The GN/MWCNT (16 wt.% MWCNTs) film characterized by Fourier transformation infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope has a layered structure with MWCNTs uniformly sandwiched between the GN sheets. The MWCNTs in the obtained composite film not only efficiently increase the basal spacing but also bridge the defects for electron transfer between GN sheets, increasing electrolyte/electrode contact area and facilitating transportation of electrolyte ion and electron into the inner region of electrode. Electrochemical data demonstrate that the GN/MWCNT film possesses a specific capacitance of 265 F g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and a good rate capability (49% capacity retention at 50 A g⁻¹), and displays an excellent specific capacitance retention of 97% after 2000 continuous charge/discharge cycles. The results of electrochemical measurements indicate that the freestanding GN/MWCNT film has a potential application in flexible energy storage devices.     

Delamination toughness of fiber-reinforced composites containing a carbon nanotube/polyamide-12 epoxy thin film interlayer

We present a simple, out-of-autoclave approach to improve the delamination toughness of fiber-reinforced composites using epoxy interlayers containing 20 wt.% polyamide-12 (PA) particles and 1 wt.% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Composites were prepared by integrating partially cured thin films at the laminate mid-plane using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. The introduction of epoxy/PA interlayers increased fracture toughness due to the ductile deformation and crack bridging of PA particles within an interlaminar damage zone with uniform thickness of about 20 μm. Composites interlayered with epoxy/PA/MWCNT exhibited nearly 2.5 and 1.5 times higher fracture toughness than composites containing neat epoxy and epoxy/PA interlayers, respectively, without an observable increase in interlaminar thickness. The fracture surface was analyzed to identify failure modes responsible for the fracture toughness improvement. The MWCNTs are proposed to inhibit critical loading of defects by minimizing stress concentration within the interlaminar region, thereby enabling greater deformation of the PA particles during fracture.     

多壁碳纳米管对PCL结晶行为的影响

通过溶液法制备了聚己内酯(PCL)和PCL/多壁碳纳米管(MWCNT)薄膜,研究了不同结晶温度下PCL的结晶形态及MWCNT对PCL结晶的影响。利用扫描电子显微镜、原子力显微镜从微观层次研究了球晶环带形成的机理。结果表明,存20～50℃可通过溶液结晶得到PCL环带球晶,加入MWCNT使形成环带结构的温度向高温方向拓宽。     

Fabrication and electrochemical capacitance of hierarchical graphene/polyaniline/carbon nanotube ternary composite film

A film composed of graphene (GN) sheets, polyaniline (PANI) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been fabricated by reducing a graphite oxide (GO)/PANI/CNT precursor prepared by flow-directed assembly from a complex dispersion of GO and PANI/CNT, followed by reoxidation and redoping of the reduced PANI in the composite to restore the conducting PANI structure. Scanning electron microscope images indicate that the ternary composite film is a layered structure with coaxial PANI/CNT nanocables uniformly sandwiched between the GN sheets. Such novel hierarchical structure with high electrical conductivity perfectly facilitates contact between electrolyte ions and PANI for faradaic energy storage and efficiently utilizes the double-layer capacitance at the electrode–electrolyte interfaces. The specific capacitance of the GN/PANI/CNT estimated by galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement is 569 F g⁻¹ (or 188 F cm⁻³ for volumetric capacitance) at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹. In addition, the GN/PANI/CNT exhibits good rate capability (60% capacity retention at 10 A g⁻¹) and superior cycling stability (4% fade after 5000 continuous charge/discharge cycles).     

The effect of nanotube alignment on stress graphitization of carbon/carbon nanotube composites

Carbon nanotubes, when used as filler in a glass-like carbon matrix, has been reported to induce stress graphitization in the matrix. The effects on stress graphitization of the amount of carbon nanotube loading and nanotube orientation in the composite were investigated through microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. Results showed that an increase in nanotube content and nanotube alignment could increase the extent of formation of anisotropic regions, thereby hastening stress graphitization. It was shown that the distance between nanotubes could affect the formation of the anisotropic structures, such that they could develop in a circumferential manner around the nanotubes when the nanotubes are situated far from each other or develop continuous regions between nanotubes when they are closer together. The development of these microstructures and its relationship to the residual stresses that accumulate in the material during heat treatment is discussed here.     

High performance field emission of carbon nanotube film emitters with a triangular shape

We report novel two-dimensional (2D) shaped carbon nanotube (CNT) field emitters using triangular-shaped CNT films and their field emission properties. Using the 2D shaped CNT field emitters, we achieved remarkable field emission performance with a high emission current of 22 mA (equivalent to an emission current density >10⁵ A/cm²) and long-term emission stability at 1 mA for 20 h. We also discuss the field emission behavior of the 2D shaped CNT field emitter in detail.