A paper like structure formed by binding self-assembled glass microballoons using random CNF networks

• Published in: Materials letters 2012-02, Vol.68, p.490-492
• Main Authors: Zegeye, Ephraim, Jin, Yoonyoung, Woldesenbet, Eyassu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acetylene; carbon; CNF networks; coatings; CVD; electrical conductivity; ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; Glass; Glass microballoons; Microballoons; nanofibers; Nanostructure; Networks; Nickel; Paper like structure; silicon; Silicon substrates; vapors; Wafers
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2011.11.045

A paper like structure formed from hollow glass microballoons and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is reported. A layer of Ni coated glass microballoons was first formed on a silicon wafer substrate by a process similar to dip coating. This technique comprised of immersing the wafer in ethanol suspension of Ni coated microballoons and lowering the level of suspension by draining from the bottom. Random networks of CNFs were then generated by growing them on the surfaces of the self-assembled microballoons using thermal chemical vapor deposition of acetylene at 570°C. The self-assembled microballoons were bonded together with the CNF networks to form a paper like structure in approximately 20min of growth time. The dimension of the structure was as big as the dimension of the wafer (~60×18mm). The electrical conductivity of the structure was measured as 7.46S/m. The structure could potentially be used to fabricate conductive nanofoam films and directly as a sensing element. A method of fabricating a paper like structure consisting of hollow glass microballoons and CNFs is described. [Display omitted] ► Hollow glass microballoons and CVD deposited CNFs to form a paper like structure. ► A microballoon layer on a Si wafer was bonded by cross linked CNFs. ► The microballoon-CNF structure was freestanding and easily peelable from the Si wafer. ► The microballoon-CNF structure was electrically conductive due to the CNF networks.