(264g) Application of Carbon Nanotube & Cellulose Nanocrystal Composite in Conducting Films

The fabrication of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into high performance films has gained increasing attention as a potential material for the manufacturing of micro-scale structures and devices due to their high mechanical strength, thermal stability and anisotropic properties. However, CNCs alone are an insulating material, limiting their use in sensor applications but introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) allows for conductive composite films. CNTs are also rod-shaped nanomaterials with high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. The hydrophobic regions of surface functionalized CNCs interact with the hydrophobic CNTs creating a favorable association between CNTs and CNCs. Additionally, CNC’s long-range electrostatic repulsion contributes to stable CNT/CNC water dispersions. CNC assisted single-wall and multi-wall CNT dispersion capacities in aqueous solution have been measured by UV-vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Conductive and anisotropic composite films are casted on glass microscope slides and sheared by blade coating with greater than 12 wt% CNT/CNC aqueous dispersions. The films were then examined for orientation for both CNTs and CNCs by polarized light and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering. It was observed that solutions with different CNC concentrations yield different dispersion capacities for multi-walled CNTs. Additionally, sheared films exhibited an anisotropic conductive property compared to non-sheared films. CNCs with different charge densities via surface functionalization have been introduced as alternatives for improving composite film dispersity and conductivity.