Multifunctional Free-Standing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films

Abstract

We report a simple and rapid method to prepare multifunctional free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films with variable thicknesses ranging from a submonolayer to a few micrometers having outstanding properties for a broad range of exceptionally performing devices. We have fabricated state-of-the-art key components from the same single component multifunctional SWCNT material for several high-impact application areas: high efficiency nanoparticle filters with a figure of merit of 147 Pa⁻¹, transparent and conductive electrodes with a sheet resistance of 84 Ω/◻ and a transmittance of 90%, electrochemical sensors with extremely low detection limits below 100 nM, and polymer-free saturable absorbers for ultrafast femtosecond lasers. Furthermore, the films are demonstrated as the main components in gas flowmeters, gas heaters, and transparent thermoacoustic loudspeakers.