The synthesis of massive arrays of monodispersed carbon nanotubes that are self-assembled on hydrophilic polycarbonate membrane is reported. This approach involves individual carbon nanotube manufacturing by non-ionic surfactant to aid in dispersion and nanotubes self-assembled for three-dimensional orientation by high press filtration. The inherent capability of carbon nanotube and microstructure of well-packed arrays predominate excellent conductive properties of massive arrays. These potential applications of nanometer-sized sensor, probe and energy resistor have been characterized in this study. Furthermore, the route toward application of self-assembled regular arrays, as heat transmission intermedium, has been carried out by activating shape-memory polymer. The electrical conductivity of insulating polymer is significantly improved by assembled carbon nanotubes, resulting in shape recovery behavior of nanocomposite being driven by electrical resistive heating.

Date Published: 9 April 2010
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7642, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010, 76421G (9 April 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.847366

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7642:
Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010
Yoseph Bar-Cohen, Editor(s)