Transparent Conductive Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes-Polymer Composite for Electrode Applications

Abstract

Disperse Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are incorporated aqueous N-hydroxy methyl acrylamide, which is subjected to crosslinking to develop a transparent conductive composite free standing film. The effects of the concentration of MWCNTs and temperature on optical and electrical properties of nano-composites are investigated. Interestingly, only 0.06 mg/ml of MWCNTs is sufficient to reach the percolation threshold (Phi) for transition in electrical conductivity up to 10(-4) S/cm, with a visible transmittance over 85%, which is well above the reported for such a low level of MWCNTs loading. The electrical conductivity of the composite was measured at 120 degrees C. It has been observed that electrical conductivity increases significantly with the increase in temperature, signifying the semiconducting nature of nano-composites. Finally, current-voltage (I-V) characteristics show liner behaviour, confirms Ohmic nature of nano-composites and metal contact.