Development of transparent, conducting composites by surface infiltration of nanotubes into commercial polymer films

Here we present a novel technique for the preparation of thin, transparent and conducting, nanotube containing layers at the surface of commercially available polyethylene films. This is achieved by the swelling of the polyethylene in nanotube/tetrahydrofuran dispersions, followed by nanotube infiltration. These layers, typically 250 nm thick, display conductivities of up to 66 S/m, depending on the nanotube content. This results in sheet resistances of as low as 50 kΩ/□ at optical transparencies of 80%.