Extraction of Intercalated O2 from Aligned Carbon Nanotubes: The Breaking of Intertube Paths and Exponential Changes in Resistance

Abstract

In carbon nanotube films, the alignment of carbon nanotubes creates Lennard-Jones potentials at intertube junctions and trapped O2 appears to oscillate at elevated temperatures. Electrical measurements reveal a low hopping barrier along the transverse direction and an underlying mechanism that involves intercalated molecules acting as charge carriers between tubes. Ab initio calculations support dynamic intercalation and charge transfer through O2 bouncing between tubes.