Functional carbon nanotubes for high-quality charge transfer and moisture regulation through membranes: structure-functions insights

Functional single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are assembled onto porous supports by using layer-by-layer (LBL) approaches. Directed nano-assembly of nanotubes is identified as a crucial factor for controlling combined functions of hybrid-composite membranes, including charge and moisture transport. In both the cases, donor/acceptor interactions are indicated to be responsible for the nanotubes rearrangement inside the LBL multilayer and related properties. Aggregation and stratification of the carbon nanotubes along with availability of selective-sites interactions are complementarily investigated by using SEM, Raman and Infrared spectroscopy, while high electrical charge and water vapor transfer are achievable, provided that a large number of connections and competitive interactions are allowed. Ohmic behavior is observed for all types carbon nanotubes, even if better-quality charge transfer pathways are obtained with carboxylated conductive filaments. Likewise, assisted moisture regulation is succeeded when using functional filaments with capability to establish competitive H-donor/acceptor interactions with water.