Aqueous Dispersion and Dielectrophoretic Assembly of Individual Surface-Synthesized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 25; no. 14; pp. 7778 - 7782
• Main Authors: Burg, Brian R, Schneider, Julian, Muoth, Matthias, Durrer, Lukas, Helbling, Thomas, Schirmer, Niklas C, Schwamb, Timo, Hierold, Christofer, Poulikakos, Dimos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 21.07.2009
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Surface physical chemistry; Growth; Device; Pulse; Carbon nanotubes; Raw materials; Surfactant; Carbon; Chemical vapor deposition; Characterization; Electrodes; Resistance; Substrate; Singlewalled nanotube; Energy; Diameter; Aqueous dispersion; Interface
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la901503y

The successful dispersion and large-scale parallel assembly of individual surface-synthesized large-diameter (1−3 nm) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), is demonstrated. SWNTs are removed from the growth substrate by a short, low-energy ultrasonic pulse to produce ultrapure long-term stable surfactant-stabilized solutions. Subsequent dielectrophoretic deposition bridges individual, straight, and long SWNTs between two electrodes. Electrical characterization on 223 low-resistance devices (R average ≈ 200 kΩ) evidences the high quality of the SWNT raw material, prepared solution, and contact interface. The research reported herein provides an important framework for the large-scale industrial integration of carbon nanotube-based devices, sensors, and applications.