Carbon nanotube-based conductors: synthesis, microjoining, and applications in electrical wiring and integrated energy storage devices
摘要
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are transformative nanomaterials with exceptional ultralow electrical resistivity (10–6 to 5 × 10–6 Ω.cm−1), tensile strength (10–100) GPa, and thermal conductivity (3000–3500 W.m−1 K−1). This comprehensive review critically studies the principal synthesis methodologies for CNTs, encompassing arc discharge, laser ablation, and catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition techniques. Furthermore, this paper studies CNT-based conductors, which show considerable potential; however, they are challenged by lower overall electrical conductivity compared to metals (such as copper and aluminum), primarily due to morphological irregularities. Innovations in integration strategies, such as CNT/Cu nanocomposites, achieve ninefold conductivity enhancements (from 263 mF.cm−1 in supercapacitors to 1011 A.m−2 current density in interconnects), addressing limitations in conventional wiring. Applications in energy systems have shown significant progress: fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells have achieved an efficiency of 8.45%, CNT-based supercapacitors deliver a capacitance of 263 mF/cm, and lithium-ion batteries have achieved a capacity of 174.4 mAh/g. The discussion includes recent advancements, performance comparisons, challenges associated with CNT-based conductors, and cost-effective joining solutions. Finally, the review outlines prospects and research directions to improve the CNT-based electrical systems’ scalability, cost-effectiveness, and commercial viability.