Extreme magneto-transport of bulk carbon nanotubes in sorted electronic concentrations and aligned high performance fiber

We explored high-field (60T) magneto-resistance (MR) with two carbon nanotube (CNT) material classes: (1) unaligned single-wall CNTs (SWCNT) films with controlled metallic SWCNT concentrations and doping degree and (2) CNT fiber with aligned, long-length microstructure. All unaligned SWCNT films showed localized hopping transport where high-field MR saturation definitively supports spin polarization instead of a more prevalent wave function shrinking mechanism. Nitric acid exposure induced an insulator to metal transition and reduced the positive MR component. Aligned CNT fiber, already on the metal side of the insulator to metal transition, had positive MR without saturation and was assigned to classical MR involving electronic mobility. Subtracting high-field fits from the aligned fiber's MR yielded an unconfounded negative MR, which was assigned to weak localization. It is concluded that fluctuation induced tunnelling, an extrinsic transport model accounting for most of the aligned fiber's room temperature resistance, appears to lack MR field dependence

Piezoresistive Effect in Carbon Nanotube Fibers

The complex structure of the macroscopic assemblies of carbon nanotubes and variable intrinsic piezoresistivity of nanotubes themselves lead to highly interesting piezoresistive performance of this new type of conductive material. Here, we present an in-depth study of the piezoresistive effect in carbon nanotube fibers, <i>i.e.</i>, yarnlike assemblies made purely of aligned carbon nanotubes, which are expected to find applications as electrical and electronic materials. The resistivity changes of carbon nanotube fibers were measured on initial loading, through the elastic/plastic transition, on cyclic loading and on stress relaxation. The various regimes of stress/strain behavior were modeled using a standard linear solid model, which was modified with an additional element in series to account for the observed creep behavior. On the basis of the experimental and modeling results, the origin of piezoresistivity is discussed. An additional effect on the resistivity was found as the fiber was held under load which led to observations of the effect of humidity and the associated water adsorption level on the resistivity. We show that the equilibrium uptake of moisture leads to the decrease in gauge factor of the fiber decrease, <i>i.e.</i>, the reduction in the sensitivity of fiber resistivity to loading

Highly Conductive Carbon Nanotube-Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposite for Smart Clothing Applications and Beyond

The following paper presents a simple, inexpensive and scalable method of production of carbon nanotube-polyurethane elastomer composite. The new method enables the formation of fibers with 40% w/w of nanotubes in a polymer. Thanks to the 8 times higher content of nanotubes than previously reported for such composites, over an order of magnitude higher electrical conductivity is also observed. The composite fibers are highly elastic and both their electrical and mechanical properties may be easily controlled by changing the nanotubes content in the composite. It is shown that these composite fibers may be easily integrated with traditional textiles by sewing or ironing. However, taking into account their light-weight, high conductivity, flexibility and easiness of molding it may be expected that their potential applications are not limited to the smart textiles industry

Hydrogels and Carbon Nanotubes: Composite Electrode Materials for Long-Term Electrocardiography Monitoring

This paper presents methods for developing high-performance interface electrode materials designed to enhance signal collection efficacy during long-term (over 24 h) electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring. The electrode materials are fabricated by integrating commercial ECG liquid hydrogels with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are widely utilized in dry-electrode technologies and extensively discussed in the current scientific literature. The composite materials are either prepared by dispersing CNTs within the commercial liquid hydrogel matrix or by encasing the hydrogels in macroscopic CNT films. Both approaches ensure the optimal wetting of the epidermis via the hydrogels, while the CNTs reduce material impedance and stabilize the drying process. The resulting electrode materials maintain their softness, allowing for micro-conformal skin attachment, and are biocompatible. Empirical testing confirms that the ECG electrodes employing these hybrid hydrogels adhere to relevant standards for durations exceeding 24 h. These innovative hybrid solutions merge the benefits of both wet and dry ECG electrode technologies, potentially facilitating the extended monitoring of ECG signals and thus advancing the diagnosis and treatment of various cardiac conditions

Resistance–Temperature Dependence in Carbon Nanotube Fibres

The electrical transport of a carbon nanotube assembly is determined by its morphology and composition. These vary with the assembly production processes and post-process treatments applied. Here, we present the study of the electrical – structural dependence of wire like assemblies of carbon nanotubes i.e. carbon nanotube fibres produced via floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition processes. We propose that the analysis of resistance – temperature characteristics of the fibres provides vast amount of information for the assessment of the quality of the fibres and thus the efficacy of fibre production and post-production processes. To aid qualitative and quantitative analysis of the experimental results we propose a new universal model which allows the fitting of experimental data in the full range of temperatures and a straightforward comparison of the recorded characteristics

Resistance–Temperature Dependence in Carbon Nanotube Fibres

The electrical transport of a carbon nanotube assembly is determined by its morphology and composition. These vary with the assembly production processes and post-process treatments applied. Here, we present the study of the electrical – structural dependence of wire like assemblies of carbon nanotubes i.e. carbon nanotube fibres produced via floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition processes. We propose that the analysis of resistance – temperature characteristics of the fibres provides vast amount of information for the assessment of the quality of the fibres and thus the efficacy of fibre production and post-production processes. To aid qualitative and quantitative analysis of the experimental results we propose a new universal model which allows the fitting of experimental data in the full range of temperatures and a straightforward comparison of the recorded characteristics

Enriching WPCs and NFPCs with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, with their unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and wettability properties, are very effective fillers for many types of composites. Recently, a number of studies have shown that CNTs and graphene may be integrated into wood-plastic composites (WPCs) and natural-fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) to improve the existing performance of the WPCs/NFPCs as well as enabling their use in completely new areas of engineering. The following review analyses the results of the studies presented to date, from which it can be seen that that inclusion of CNTs/graphene may indeed improve the mechanical properties of the WPCs/NFPCs, while increasing their thermal conductivity, making them electroconductive, more photostable, less sensitive to water absorption, less flammable, and more thermally stable. This study indicates that the composition and methods of manufacturing of hybrid WPCs/NFPCs vary significantly between the samples, with a consequent impact on the level of improvement of specific properties. This review also shows that the incorporation of CNTs/graphene may enable new applications of WPCs/NFPCs, such as solar thermal energy storage devices, electromagnetic shielding, antistatic packaging, sensors, and heaters. Finally, this paper recognises key challenges in the study area, and proposes future work

Low Temperature Electrical Transport in Modified Carbon Nanotube Fibres

Carbon nanotube fibres are a new class of materials highly promising for many electrical/electronic applications. The range of applications could be extended through the modification of their electrical transport properties by inclusions of foreign materials. However, the changes in electrical transport are often difficult to assess. Here, we propose that the analysis of resistance–temperature dependencies of modified fibres supported by a recently developed theoretical model may aid research in this area and accelerate real life applications of the fibres

Influence of Atmospheric Water Vapour on Electrical Performance of Carbon Nanotube Fibres

Carbon nanotube assemblies are expected to find application in many areas of technology. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to understand and predict their performance in different ambient conditions. Here, we explore the influence of air exposure on the electrical conduction in carbon nanotube fibres and films produced via floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition. We recognise that on top of the previously well-explored oxygen doping effect these macroscopic materials are also significantly affected by humidity. The adsorption of water vapour causes an increase in the weight of the assemblies, increase in electrical conductivity at room temperature or changes in the resistance-temperature dependence at low temperatures. It is suggested that the water vapour is mainly adsorbed by the standard clustering mechanisms observed in other carbon materials, but the mechanisms responsible for the improvement in electrical performance are much more debatable. We present a strong indication that the carbon nanotubes are neither n-doped nor p-doped by water molecules and provide further discussion on the potential role of water in the electrical transport of carbon nanotube assemblies

Influence of Atmospheric Water Vapour on Electrical Performance of Carbon Nanotube Fibres

Carbon nanotube assemblies are expected to find application in many areas of technology. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to understand and predict their performance in different ambient conditions. Here, we explore the influence of air exposure on the electrical conduction in carbon nanotube fibres and films produced via floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition. We recognise that on top of the previously well-explored oxygen doping effect these macroscopic materials are also significantly affected by humidity. The adsorption of water vapour causes an increase in the weight of the assemblies, increase in electrical conductivity at room temperature or changes in the resistance-temperature dependence at low temperatures. It is suggested that the water vapour is mainly adsorbed by the standard clustering mechanisms observed in other carbon materials, but the mechanisms responsible for the improvement in electrical performance are much more debatable. We present a strong indication that the carbon nanotubes are neither n-doped nor p-doped by water molecules and provide further discussion on the potential role of water in the electrical transport of carbon nanotube assemblies