Acid-free liquid crystalline single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes for interconnected fibers, yarns, and electronic textiles
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Liquid crystalline (LC) solutions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) provide an attractive route to ordered fibers, films, and coatings, with exceptional multifunctional properties. Here, the formation of nematic phases, using reductive chemistry, to generate SWCNT polyelectrolytes (sodium nanotubides) as an alternative to routes based on superacids is elucidated. Strikingly, the stable mesophase domain of SWCNT polyelectrolytes extends to spontaneous LC nematic formation at a low concentration of 0.18 mg mL–1; the isotropic–nematic phase boundary is mapped out and found to relate, through the Debye length, to the effective aspect ratio in accordance with Onsager’s theory. These LC SWCNT polyelectrolyte solutions are shown to allow the direct, scalable, and safer processing of macroscopic assemblies such as fibers, yarns, pastes, and textile coatings, which are effective for transmitting electrical signals (electrical conductivity ∼1.0 MS m–1). These processes are illustrated by a range of electronic textile devices built around SWCNT-coated cotton, connected by SWCNT yarns. Acid-free processing is compatible with a much broader range of equipment, functionalization chemistries, and substrates by providing many opportunities for development.
Date Issued
2025-07-15
Date Acceptance
2025-06-27
Citation
ACS Nano, 2025, 19 (27), pp.25304-25315
ISSN
1936-0851
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
25304
End Page
25315
Journal / Book Title
ACS Nano
Volume
19
Issue
27
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025 American Chemical Society. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40614243
Subjects
Chemistry
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
Debye length
DISSOLUTION
electronic textiles
liquid crystal
Materials Science
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
PHASE
Physical Sciences
polyelectrolytes
Science & Technology
Science & Technology - Other Topics
single-walled carbon nanotubes
Technology
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2025-07-04