Pen-writable nanocarbon arrays fabricated using liquid-crystalline materials for potential use in displays

Abstract

Abstract— We have fabricated carbon nanotubes and nanofibers using liquid‐crystalline materials. By using these materials, the orientation of graphene layers can be manipulated using surface‐anchoring techniques common to liquid‐crystal displays. The bulk material properties of the graphene can be controlled by the spatial arrangement of the layers due to their anisotropic nature. We have also demonstrated a method to pattern arrays of these nanoforms using an automated printing technique.