Solution Spinning of Neat Carbon Nanotube Fiber, Effect of Carbon Nanotube Length and Processing

Transferring the exceptional single molecule properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into macroscopic articles such as fibers and films has been a major challenge in the past two decades.  Two approaches have merged. The first is solid state processing, where fibers and films are directly spun from the synthesis reactor or nanotube forest. The second is wet spinning, where carbon nanotubes are first dissolved and spun in fibers or cast into films.

Here we show recent progress on super-acid solution spinning. Nanotube length and quality have a significant effect on processability, mechanical and electrical properties. We also show the impact of processing variables on fiber alignment and properties and demonstrate process scalability by demonstrating high throughput spinning, which is orders-of-magnitude higher than solid state processing.