In Plane Orientation of SWCNT Ultrathin Film Fabricated Using a Liquid–Liquid Interface

Abstract

Non-chemically treated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were assembled at a liquid–liquid interface in the shape of an ultrathin film. SWCNTs were dispersed into water phase by aid of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and were assembled at a hexane-water interface with addition of ethanol. The assembled film was transferred onto a solid substrate at various dipping speeds. Polarized absorption spectra of the transferred film indicated that the SWCNTs aligned with their long axis parallel to the dipping direction when the assembly was transferred at the dipping speed of 50 mm/min.

Keywords:

• Liquid–liquid interface
• orientation
• single-walled carbon nanotubes

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by PRESTO from the Japan Science and Technology Agency and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 17105006, No. 20750083) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. We thank the Hybrid Nano-Materials Research Center (HyNamCenter) for the use of SEM.