Transparent Conductive Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes-Polymer Composite for Electrode Applications

Disperse Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are incorporated aqueous N-hydroxy methyl acrylamide, which is subjected to crosslinking to develop a transparent conductive composite free standing film. The effects of the concentration of MWCNTs and temperature on optical and electrical properties of nano-composites are investigated. Interestingly, only 0.06 mg/ml of MWCNTs is sufficient to reach the percolation threshold (Ф) for transition in electrical conductivity up to 10⁻⁴ S/cm, with a visible transmittance over 85%, which is well above the reported for such a low level of MWCNTs loading. The electrical conductivity of the composite was measured at 120 °C. It has been observed that electrical conductivity increases significantly with the increase in temperature, signifying the semiconducting nature of nano-composites. Finally, current–voltage (I–V) characteristics show liner behaviour, confirms Ohmic nature of nano-composites and metal contact.