Assembly of
carbon nanotubes from as-grown randomly tangled states into
well-ordered arrays has attracted considerable attention from
researchers and engineers worldwide due to specific properties
of the carbon nanotubes and its importance for chemical,
biomedical and engineering applications. Several researches
have recently demonstrated the preparation of organized
nanotube arrays using effective methods such as wet chemical
self-assembly and capillary force induced alignment. For the
many applications, well-ordered and functionalized carbon
nanotubes are greatly desirable.
MicroDysis is developing a straightforward and
effective technique to embed well-ordered carbon nanotubes
onto a polymer surface, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS),
elastomer or silicone rubber, and plastics. The nanoengineered surface
has an extraordinary enhanced sensing area compared to
conventional surface due to the superior properties of carbon
nanotubes. The morphological study of a PDMS surface embedded
carbon nanotubes shows the nanotubes perpendicularly stand on
the surface. This is a very important and promising feature
for nanotube assembly that will significantly increase
molecule binding to the nanotube
surface.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) images
(three-dimensional surface profile) of (a) blank PDMS surface
and (b) embedded functionalized carbon nanotubes on a PDMS
surface.
