Long-Term Stable Thermal Emission Modulator Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Dezhuang Ji1, Xuan Li1, Moh'd Rezeq2,3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 31, 2023
Summary
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) enable dynamic control of thermal emission for infrared applications. This novel modulator offers a wide emissivity range and long-term stability, paving the way for advanced thermal camouflage and displays.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Dynamic control of thermal emission is crucial for applications like thermal camouflage and infrared (IR) displays.
- Low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials offer tuneable charge density for such applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To realize a thermal emission modulator based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using ionic gating.
- To demonstrate the tuneable thermal emissivity of SWCNT films for practical applications.
Main Methods:
- Ionic gating was employed to shift the Fermi energy of SWCNTs by adsorbing ions.
- The emissivity modulation range was measured within the electrochemical window of an ionic liquid.
- Thermal camouflage and IR display functionalities were demonstrated using fabricated SWCNT films.
Main Results:
- A high emissivity modulation range from 0.45 to 0.95 was achieved.
- SWCNT-based modulators demonstrated long-term stability, withstanding over 6000 dynamic tuning cycles.
- The single-layer structure enabled dynamic control via static gating without ion-induced damage.
Conclusions:
- SWCNT-based IR modulators offer a stable and effective solution for dynamic thermal emission control.
- The technology shows significant potential for practical applications in thermal camouflage and IR displays.
- The static gating approach avoids structural degradation, ensuring device longevity.
