Many commercial applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have not yet been realized owing to their limited water processability that leads to poor electrical performance. We report the syntheses of oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with improved percolating network connectivity and conductivity in thin films processed from aqueous colloids mixed with dispersing agents including LAPONITE® nanoparticles and surfactants. The influences of clay loading and acid functionalization on surface morphology and the self-assembly of interconnected networks in SWCNT films were studied. Conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) analyses indicated that the most favorable nanonetwork for charge conduction was achieved at a low loading of LAPONITE® nanoparticles. In addition, hydrazine reduction treatments after acid functionalization led to augmented electrical conductivities in the CNT films regardless of the extent of clay loading. These studies provide important insight on tuning the heterointerfaces that control CNT self-assembly and polydispersity and may prove insightful to realize percolating networks for green energy applications.

由于碳纳米管（CNT）的有限的水加工性导致不良的电性能，因此尚未实现许多商业应用。我们报告了由水性胶体与分散剂（包括LAPONITE®纳米粒子和表面活性剂）混合后加工的薄膜中氧化单壁碳纳米管（SWCNT）的合成，其渗滤网络连通性和导电性得到改善。研究了SWCNT薄膜中粘土含量和酸官能度对表面形貌和互连网络自组装的影响。导电原子力显微镜（c-AFM）分析表明，在低负载的LAPONITE®纳米颗粒下可获得最有利的电荷传导纳米网络。此外，酸官能化后的肼还原处理导致CNT膜的电导率增加，而与粘土加载量无关。这些研究为调节控制CNT自组装和多分散性的异质界面提供了重要的见识，并可能证明对于实现绿色能源应用的渗滤网络很有见地。