Elasticity and rigidity percolation in networks of type-purified single-wall carbon nanotubes on flexible substrates

Published

October 29, 2013

Author(s)

John M. Harris, JiYeon Huh, Matthew R. Semler, Christopher Stafford, Steven Hudson, Jeffrey Fagan, Erik K. Hobbie

Abstract

Wrinkles and folds in compressed thin films of type-purified single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates are used to study the mechanical response of pristine nanotube networks. While the low-strain plateau moduli are consistent with the exceptional mechanical properties of the individual nanotubes, the films are remarkably fragile, with small yield strains that decrease with increasing thickness. A comparison with conductivity measurements performed on identical type-purified SWCNT films suggests more than a two-fold difference in the onset of rigidity vs. connectivity percolation, and we discuss the implications of this for rigid-rod percolation and the use of type-purified SWCNTs in flexible electronics.

Citation

Soft Matter

Volume

9

Issue

48

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

carbon nanotubes, nanotubes, modulus, percolation, thin film, network

Citation

Harris, J. , Huh, J. , Semler, M. , Stafford, C. , Hudson, S. , Fagan, J. and Hobbie, E. (2013), Elasticity and rigidity percolation in networks of type-purified single-wall carbon nanotubes on flexible substrates, Soft Matter (Accessed October 16, 2025)