Directly synthesized strong, highly conducting, transparent single-walled carbon nanotube films.

Abstract

We report the direct synthesis of strong, highly conducting, and transparent single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films. Systematically, tests reveal that the directly synthesized films have superior electrical and mechanical properties compared with the films made from a solution-based filtration process: the electrical conductivity is over 2000 S/cm and the strength can reach 360 MPa. These values are both enhanced by more than 1 order. We attribute these intriguing properties to the good and long interbundle connections. Moreover, by the help of an extrapolated Weibull theory, we verify the feasibility of reducing the interbundle slip by utilizing the long-range intertube friction and estimate the ultimate strength of macroscale SWNTs without binding agent.