Superaligned carbon nanotube arrays, films, and yarns: A road to applications

Abstract

A superaligned carbon nanotube (CNT) array is a special kind of vertically aligned CNT array with the capability of being converted into continuous films and yarns. The as-produced CNT films are transparent and highly conductive, with aligned CNTs parallel to the direction of drawing. After passing through volatile solutions or being twisted, CNT films can be further condensed into shrunk yarns. These shrunk yarns possess high tensile strengths and Young's moduli, and are good conductors. Many applications of CNT films and shrunk yarns have been demonstrated, such as TEM grids, loudspeakers, touch screens, etc. A superaligned carnon nanotube (CNT) array is a special kind of vertically aligned array from which continuous CNT films and yarns can be directly drawn out in a dry state. This approach enables the large-scale fabrication of CNT devices in a simple process and leads directly to real CNT products, such as TEM grids, loudspeakers, touch screens, etc. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.