Photopatterned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films Utilizing the Adsorption/Desorption Processes of Photofunctional Dispersants

We
describe the application of photodetachable and recyclable dispersants
for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the fabrication of photopatterned
SWNT thin films. Because adsorption and desorption of the dispersants
on the SWNT surfaces affect not only their dispersibility in water
but also their solubility, SWNT photopatterns were obtained on glass
substrates in only three steps, i.e., casting the SWNT/dispersant
solution, UV-light exposure of the casted SWNT/dispersant films through
a photomask, and subsequent rinsing with neutral water. This patterning
procedure is simple and scalable and will enable us to prepare microfabricated
SWNT thin films.

本研究阐述了可光解离且可回收的分散剂在制备光图案化单壁碳纳米管（single-walled carbon nanotubes, SWNTs）薄膜中的应用。由于分散剂在单壁碳纳米管表面的吸附与脱附不仅会影响其在水中的分散性能，还会改变其溶解特性，因此仅需三步即可在玻璃基底上制备出单壁碳纳米管光图案：即浇涂单壁碳纳米管/分散剂混合溶液、通过光掩膜对已浇涂的单壁碳纳米管/分散剂薄膜进行紫外光辐照，随后用中性水漂洗。该图案化工艺简便且具备可扩展性，可用于制备微加工级单壁碳纳米管薄膜。