| AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| MEMS and NEMS | Thursday Sessions |
| Session MN+GR-ThM |
| Session: | Graphene and Carbon Based MEMS/NEMS Devices |
| Presenter: | L. Pei, Brigham Young University |
| Authors: | L. Pei, Brigham Young University R. Vanfleet, Brigham Young University M.R. Linford, Brigham Young University R.C. Davis, Brigham Young University |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
We have developed a new and straightforward method for fabricating freely suspended ultrathin carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes. A smooth transferrable CNT sheet was first made from vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forests by placing mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filter paper on a VACNT forest and using a roller to both compress the forest and transfer the nanotubes to the filter paper. The compressed CNT film was then transferred to a solid substrate and the MCE was subsequently dissolved, leaving the CNT film on the substrate. Nanotube – polymer composite films were then fabricated by spin casting a polymer layer on top of the transferred CNT sheet. If the solid substrate was coated with a polymer film prior to CNT transfer, a polymer/CNT/polymer sandwich was created. The composite membranes were subsequently released from the substrate. Characterization of the films and membranes preformed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and by strength testing will be presented.