Mechanical and electrical evaluation of parylene-C encapsulated carbon nanotube networks on a flexible substrate

Carbon nanotube networks are an emerging conductive nanomaterial with applications including thin film transistors, interconnects, and sensors. In this letter, we demonstrate the fabrication of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks on a flexible polymer substrate and then provide encapsulation utilizing a thin parylene-C layer. The encapsulated SWNT network was subjected to tensile tests while its electrical resistance was monitored. Tests showed a linear-elastic response up to a strain value of 2.8% and nearly linear change in electrical resistance in the 0%-2% strain range. The networks' electrical resistance was monitored during load-unload tests of up to 100 cycles and was hysteresis-free. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.