Alignment dynamics of single-wall carbon nanotubes under electric field in different surfactant solutions

Abstract The dynamics of metallic single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) alignment inside various viscous media under electric field is investigated in this simulation work for the manifestation of macroscale aligned SWCNT films. An alternating current (AC) electric field was applied to the liquid solution of several surfactants (DIW, DMF, CHEX, SDS, and DOC) containing SWCNTs. The time required for the SWCNTs to get aligned to the applied AC electric field was simulated for different initial conditions for all the surfactants. An analytical model based on dielectrophoresis induced torque was employed. The model considers the viscosity and conductivity of the surrounding medium. The influence of SWCNT length, SWCNT radius, and frequency of the AC field on the assembly of SWCNTs were studied. Our analysis showed that a longer and narrower SWCNT prompts faster assembly to an aligned SWCNT aggregation. Furthermore, the effect of the concentration of SDS and the effect of electric field strength for DIW surfactant were also investigated. Viscosity plays a significant role in the alignment process. Slower SWCNT alignment is caused by a medium of higher viscosity.