Fabrication of high-quality carbon nanotube fibers for optoelectronic applications

Long and spinnable carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays have been synthesized through a chemical vapor deposition process using the Fe/Al2O3 on a silicon substrate as the catalyst, ethylene as the carbon source, and an Ar/H2 mixture gas as the carrying gas. CNT fibers are then spun from the high-quality arrays with excellent mechanical and electrical properties. The CNT fibers have been further used as electrodes to fabricate a family of novel dye-sensitized solar cells with high potentials.

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► Spinnability of long carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been realized to form fibers.
► These CNT fibers show high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
► CNT fibers are promising for optoelectronic and electronic applications.
► CNT fibers are used to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells with high potential.