Spin-coatable liquid for formation of high purity nanotube films
View Patent ↗Certain spin-coatable liquids and application techniques are described, which can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. A spin-coatable liquid for formation of a nanotube film includes a liquid medium containing a controlled concentration of purified nanotubes, wherein the controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity, and wherein the spin-coatable liquid comprises less than 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of metal impurities. The spin-coatable liquid is substantially free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm.
1. An applicator liquid comprising:
a liquid medium containing a distribution of purified nanotubes wherein the liquid medium is selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), monomethyl ether, 4-methyl-2 pentanone, N-ethylpyrrolidone (NMP), t-butyl alcohol, methoxy propanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, gamma butyrolactone, benzyl benzoate, salicyladehyde, tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide and esters of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids,
wherein the purified nanotubes remain separate from one another without precipitation or flocculation for a time sufficient to apply the applicator liquid to a surface,
wherein the purified nanotubes are free of functionalization that deplete π electrons so that desired electrical properties of the nanotubes are maintained,
wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of metallic impurities,
wherein the applicator liquid is free of surfactants and polymers, and
wherein the applicator liquid is free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm wherein the purified nanotubes are homogenously distributed in the liquid medium.
2. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid is free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 300 nm.
3. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid is free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 100 nm.
4. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid is free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 45 nm.
5. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of metallic impurities.
6. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of transition metal impurities.
7. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of transition metal impurities.
8. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 1×10 18 atoms/cm 3 of heavy metal impurities.
9. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of heavy metal impurities.
10. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 10×10 17 atoms/cm 3 of group I and group II element impurities.
11. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the applicator liquid comprises less than about 15×10 10 atoms/cm 3 of group I and group II element impurities.
12. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the liquid medium is a non-halogen solvent.
13. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the liquid medium is a non-aqueous solvent.
14. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the liquid medium is selected for compatibility with an electronics manufacturing process.
15. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the liquid medium is ethyl lactate.
16. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the purified nanotubes comprise conductive nanotubes.
17. The applicator liquid of claim 1 , wherein the purified nanotubes are single-walled nanotubes.