Electronic transport in composites of graphite oxide with carbon nanotubes

We show that the presence of electrically insulating graphite oxide (GO) within a single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) network strongly enhances electrical conductivity, whereas reduced graphite oxide, even though electrically conductive, suppresses electrical conductivity within a composite network with SWCNTs. Measurements of Young's modulus and of Raman spectra strongly support our interpretation of the indirect role of the oxide groups, present in GO within the SWCNT-GO composite, through electronic doping of metallic SWCNTs. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.