Structure-dependent electrical properties of carbon nanotube fibers

Improved electron transport along a carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber when it is spun from an array of longer nanotubes is reported. The effect of chemical post-treatments is also demonstrated. For example, the covalent bonding of gold nanoparticles to the CNT fibers remarkably improves conductivity (see figure), whereas annealing CNT fibers in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere leads to a dramatic decrease in conductivity.