Highly conducting carbon nanotube/polyethyleneimine composite fibers

The spinning of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) composite fibers using a PEI solution as a coagulant and different SWNT materials and surfactants in the spinning solution was discussed. It was found that the strong interfacial bonding between PEI and the nanotubes provided interfiber stress transfer. The fibers exhibited moderate tensile strengths and toughness and over a hundred of times the electronic conductivity previously reported SWNT/polymer composite fibers. Analysis suggests that the fiber strength and modulus can likely be significanly increased by crosslinking the PEI.