Alter the sheet resistance of carbon nanotube-coated cellulose fabric with argon plasma pretreatment

Abstract

Cellulose fabrics were coated with single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by a dip-drying process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy analyses indicate the attachment of SWCNTs. The sheet resistance of SWCNT coated fabrics can be altered by modifying the raw cellulose fabrics with low pressure argon plasma. An initial plasma ablation of up to 3 min results in the decrease of sheet resistance, which can be ascribed to the increase of fibre surface roughness, evidenced by SEM analyses. A further increase in the extent of plasma ablation brings about the increase in sheet resistance, which is associated with the incorporation of oxygen functionalities, supported by the data obtained on colour strength measurements.