High-Density Horizontal Arrays of Single-Chirality Carbon Nanotubes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Marangoni flow-induced self-assembly method to create high-density, monolayer arrays of single-chirality carbon nanotubes, enabling exploration of their anisotropic properties.

Contribution

The study develops a versatile self-assembly technique for fabricating highly ordered, high-density single-chirality SWCNT arrays from various dispersions.

Findings

Achieved packing density of ~200 μm^{-1} in SWCNT arrays.

Demonstrated polarization-dependent optical and electrical properties.

Arrays exhibit high 2D order parameter (~0.95).

Abstract

Highly ordered high-density arrays of single-chirality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are greatly desired for exploring the intrinsic anisotropic properties and collective performance of such 1-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials. Here we present a Marangoni flow-induced self-assembly (MISA) strategy to fabricate monolayered SWCNT arrays achieving a packing density of ~200 ${\mu m}^{-1}$ and a 2-dimensional order parameter ($S_{2\mathrm{D}}$) of ~0.95. Relying on its general compatibility with both organic and aqueous dispersions, we prepare single-chirality and enantiomer-pure SWCNT arrays from organic and aqueous dispersions resulting from the sorting processes. The anisotropic optical and electrical properties of the arrays are demonstrated by the polarization-dependent Rabi splitting as well as polarized near-infrared light emission and detection. With the great tolerance to solutions, substrates, and materials, as well as the feasibility and controllability, MISA shows great potential in the assembly of 1D nanomaterials.