A new method for the preparation of stable carbon nanotube organogels

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) functionalized by ferrocene-grafted poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s can gelate common organic solvents such as chloroform to form a freestanding carbon nanotube organogel that cannot be redispersed in any organic solvents, indicating the robustness of 3D nanotube network. The drying of SWNT gel on silicon wafer in the air gives a highly convoluted film that is composed of numerous bumps and grooves at multiple length scales. In addition, we report a method for the preparation of an insoluble, homogeneous, electroactive SWNT film from a fresh SWNT solution, which may find applications in nanotube coatings and thin films that require both uniformity and solvent-resistance. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.