Electro-optical characterization of carbon nanotube-based coatings under CO2 laser irradiation

Conductive coatings made from very thin functionalized (-NH2) multi-walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in a TiO2-based sol were irradiated with CO2 laser using different intensities. It was observed that the electrical and optical properties of the film have changed. Laser-treated films present lower resistivity than the original non-irradiated coating. We attribute this behavior to a better densification of the nanotubes with the assist of the laser. Films irradiated with CO2 presented a higher refractive index than non-irradiated coatings, showing the susceptibility of the films in optic-electronic devices. (c) 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.