Transparency and conductivity of carbon nanotube networks

Published

March 18, 2009

Author(s)

Jan Obrzut

Abstract

The conductivity of films made of nanotubes longer than 200 nm closely follows the percolation theory for two-dimensional (2D) networks. The scaling universal exponents describing the percolation transition from an insulating to conducting state with increasing concentration are consistent with 2D percolation model. A sheet of tubes 820 nanometers long becomes conducting at an amazingly low concentration of about 18 nanograms per square centimeter. In comparison, short nanotubes or mixed-length batches form more 3D networks that conduct noticeably worse. Furthermore, the conductivity percolation threshold (xc) varies with the aspect ratio Length (L) as, xc ~ 1 / L, a result that is also in accordance with the percolation theory. We also show that contrary to current predictions, these sheets do not have optical properties similar to thin metallic films. Our results indicate that the correlation between the optical properties and the electrical conductivity of these sheets is again better predicted by the general percolation theory.

Proceedings Title

American Physics Society 2009 March Meeting
March 16-20, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA

Conference Dates

March 16-20, 2009

Conference Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Conference Title

Carbon Nanotubes & Related Materials

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

carbon nanotubes, percolation, transparent conductor

Citation

Obrzut, J. (2009), Transparency and conductivity of carbon nanotube networks, American Physics Society 2009 March Meeting March 16-20, 2009 Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901076 (Accessed May 5, 2026)

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