Performance of carbon nanotube wires in extreme conditions

Carbon nanotubes are known to obviate many limitations of classically employed conductors, but one finds it difficult to assemble them into macroscopic functional structures, like wires and cables, with appropriate performance. The employed protocols are usually problematic and not viable on a big scale. Herein, we show the durability of carbon nanotube wires (CNWs) obtained in a single step by the continuous direct spinning of fibers from chemical vapor deposition. A comparison study with copper reveals that CNWs fill a gap where traditional materials fail to operate. Not only CNWs survive salty or highly acidic conditions, but they do not seem to degrade over long period of time in harsh environment. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.