Electromechanical behavior of single-walled carbon nanotube thin films

Abstract

Abstract Carbon nanotubes have been intensively studied owing to their great potential in nanoelectronics and nanomechanical devices. Recently, experimental results have shown that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) change their electronic properties when subjected to strain. In this study, the electromechanical characteristics of SWCNT networks were investigated for the application of printable strain sensors on flexible substrates. SWCNT films were formed on plastic substrates of poly(ethylene terephthalate) using a spray process. In this manner, we were able to control the transparency and obtain uniform electrical properties of the films. The films are isotropic on account of the random orientation of bundles of SWCNTs. Experimental results showed a nearly linear change in the resistance across a film when it was subjected to tensile strain, even in the inelastic range of the flexible substrate. The results demonstrate the potential use of SWCNT films for highly sensitive printable strain sensors on a macroscale. Keywords: SWCNT filmsstrain sensorspray depositionelectromechanical properties Acknowledgments This research was supported by a grant (08-K1401-00610) from the Center for Nanoscale Mechatronics and Manufacturing, one of the 21st century Frontier Research Programs, and part of a grant (Code No. 2011-0032064) from the Center for Advanced Soft Electronics under the Global Frontier Program of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Korea.