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Controlled partial embedding of carbon nanotubes within flexible transparent layers

Sansom, Elijah B. and Rinderknecht, Derek and Gharib, Morteza (2008) Controlled partial embedding of carbon nanotubes within flexible transparent layers. Nanotechnology, 19 (3). 035302. ISSN 0957-4484. doi:10.1088/0957-4484/19/03/035302. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:SANnano08

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Abstract

Applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) like field emission displays, super-capacitors, and cell growth scaffolds can benefit from controllable embedding of the CNTs in a material such that the CNTs are anchored and protrude a desired length. We demonstrate a simple method for anchoring densely packed, vertically aligned arrays of CNTs into silicone layers using spin-coating, CNT insertion, curing, and growth substrate removal. CNT arrays of 51 and 120 µm in height are anchored into silicone layers of thickness 26 and 36 µm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy are used to characterize the sample morphology, a 5.5 m s^-1 impinging water jet is used to apply shear stress, and a tensile test shows that the silicone layer detaches from the substrate before the CNTs are ripped from the layer. The CNTs are thus well anchored in the silicone layers. The spin-coating process gives control over layer thickness, and the method should have general applicability to various nanostructures and anchoring materials.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/19/03/035302DOIUNSPECIFIED
Additional Information:Copyright © IOP Publishing Limited 2007. Received 21 August 2007, in final form 21 October 2007. Published 13 December 2007. Print publication: Issue 3 (23 January 2008) We thank Dr Flavio Noca, Lydia Trevino, Dr Michael Bronikowski, and Bahram Valiferdowsi for assistance with the CNT growth. We thank Dr Anna Hickerson and the Keck Graduate Institute for the use of their facilities. We thank the Caltech GPS Division Analytical Facility for use of their SEM and Dr Chi Ma for assistance. We thank the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Grant NNC05GA66G, for partial financial support of this work.
Group:GALCIT
Issue or Number:3
DOI:10.1088/0957-4484/19/03/035302
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:SANnano08
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:SANnano08
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9354
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Archive Administrator
Deposited On:16 Dec 2007
Last Modified:12 Jul 2022 19:49

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