Inter-tube junctions

All these wet-processing methods for nanotube films seem to share some common features, as determined by the properties of SWNTs and their networks in the coated films. It is known in the literature that the resistance at an inter-tube junction is higher when the junction is between nanotube bundles. " Therefore, the homogeneous dispersion and individualization of SWNTs are a prerequisite to the formation of more conductive nanotube films in terms of wet-processing methods. Indeed, dispersion strategies in these... 

In this equation, the connectedness criterion [A] embraces the nature of the inter-tube junctions, as it describes the efficiency of electron tunneling between adjacent tubes. The value of A is set by the electron tunneling distance [f], the value of which presumably is influenced by the temperature and by the electronic states of the CNTs, the contact potential barrier, and the electrostatic... 

Figure 6.1 Reducing the band-gap of the material within the inter-tube junction to increase the electron tunneling distance (left] and the desired final composite morphology (right].

Figure 4.9 Theoretical shifts of the percolation threshold due to changes in the inter-tube distance [f], or in the number of junctions of CNTs in two polymeric matrixes with different MWDs. Connectedness criterion [A] and CNT diameter [D] are as defined in Chapter 1. [Reprinted from reference 20, with permission from e-PoIymers],...

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