27 / 2016-09-20 11:18:50

Thermo-driven evaporation self-assembly and dynamic analysis of homocentric carbon nanotube rings

carbon nnaotube ring,self-assembly,Hamaker constant ,dynamics,convection flow

Basing on a thermo-driven self-assembly system, homocentric multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) rings are directly self-assembled on substrates with different Hamaker constants for the first time. Depending on the different Hamaker constants, closely packed and scattered packed homocentric rings, smooth homocentric rings, rings with waviness and rings with shuttle-like holes are fabricated, simultaneously. We observed and recorded the dynamic movement trace and self-assembly process of MWCNT homocentric rings for the first time, which supplemented the mechanism of nonvolatile solute self-assembly. We also analyzed the dynamic self-assembly mechanism on different substrates, which are in accordance with the experimental results. The specific distribution of varisized MWCNTs on smooth rings provide a new method to verify dimensional homogeneity of MWCNTs at nanoscale. Additionally, this low-cost, manageable method of MWCNT ring self-assembly opens up a new avenue for fabricating field effect transistor device, harmonic oscillator, tissue engineering scaffold and ring-like pattern preparation on flexible transparent applications.