Coalescence of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and their Electronic Conduction Nano-Networks

A random two-dimension electronic conduction nano-network of MWCNTs is fabricated by N ion beam irradiation. The CNTs networks were fabricated by the coalescence of MWCNTs at the crossing and the parallel positions. An increase in electrical conductivity of CNT network was observed by a factor of 1.44 after it was subjected to ion beam irradiation. The increased electrical conductivity resulted from increased inter-CNT transport of charge carriers, with the cross-links acting as bridges between successive CNTs. This phenomenon of increased electronic conduction resulting from coalescence through N ion beam irradiation is discussed.