We report a new method to modify electrical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Single-, double- and multi-wall CNTs were subjected to treatment with a polar interhalogen compound, i.e. iodine monochloride (ICl) for 8 h at room temperature or briefly at 350 °C to assess kinetics and thermodynamics of the reactions. The results showed a powerful p-doping, which enabled us to decrease electrical resistance of the material by more than 60% eventually reaching specific conductivity of 1.24 S m2 g−1. Functionalization of CNTs with halogen atoms resulted in evident changes to the material microstructure and composition. To illustrate viability of this technique for manufacturing highly conductive wires, we have produced an ICl-doped CNT-based USB cable. The tests unequivocally revealed that the cable could be successfully used for power or data transmission on the verge of USB 2.0 capabilities. This paper was originally published in Carbon 73, 225-233. To read more about this article, click here.
Using a novel manufacturing platform, researchers have increased the electrical conductivity of copper wires by incorporating graphene into them.
extremely sensitive MOF-based sensor meets the urgent need for detection of ultra-trace gas-phase radioactive iodine