Buckypaper

[1] The generally accepted methods of making CNT films involves the use of surfactants, such as Triton X-100[2] and sodium lauryl sulfate,[3] which improves their dispersibility in aqueous solution.

[7] In this process, "forests" of MWNTs are pushed flat in a single direction, compressing their vertical orientation into the horizontal plane, which results in the formation of high-purity buckypaper with no further purification or treatment required.

By comparison, when a buckypaper sample was formed from the 1 ton compression of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) generated MWNT powder, any application of a solvent led to the immediate swelling of the film till it reverted into particulate matter.

The SETC technique solves the main challenge of tape-casting which is the detachment of the dried and the typically sticky CNT film from the supporting-substrate.

SETC produces large area films from any commercially available carbon nanotubes with tunable length, thickness, density and composition.