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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube High-Frequency Nanoelectronic Biosensor for Sensing in High Ionic Strength Solutions
Published on: July 22, 2013
Marangoni-flow-assisted assembly of single-walled carbon nanotube films for human motion sensing
Yuguang Chen1, Yitan Li1,2, Lu Han1
1Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, Beijing National Laboratory of Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Abstract:
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) present excellent electronic and mechanical properties desired in wearable and flexible devices. The preparation of SWCNT films is the first step for fabricating various devices. This work developed a scalable and feasible method to assemble SWCNT thin films on water surfaces based on Marangoni flow induced by surface tension gradient. The films possess a large area of 40 cm × 30 cm (extensible), a tunable thickness of 15∼150 nm, a high transparency of up to 96%, and a decent conductivity. They are ready to be directly transferred to various substrates, including flexible ones. Flexible strain sensors were fabricated with the films on flexible substrates. These sensors worked with high sensitivity and repeatability. By realizing multi-functional human motion sensing, including responding to voices, monitoring artery pulses, and detecting knuckle and muscle actions, the assembled SWCNT films demonstrated the potential for application in smart devices.
