Resistivity of individual fibrous aggregates of carbon nanohorns

Abstract

In order to evaluate the characteristics of individual fibrous aggregates of carbon nanohorns, also known as carbon nanobrush (CNB), CNBs were attached to a substrate in a monodisperse state, taking advantage of the strong adhesive force of CNB to surfaces. By preventing the CNBs from clumping together with the spherical aggregates of carbon nanohorns (CNHs) contained in the CNB product, we were able to successfully measure the resistance of individual CNB using SEM-based nanomanipulation. The results showed that the resistivity of CNBs was 0.02 Ωcm, which is more than two orders of magnitude lower than that of CNHs, indicating that CNBs are highly conductive. CNB has a structure in which CNTs are at the center and nanohorns are aggregated around them, and our findings revealed that the nanohorn portion is the main contributor to conductivity in CNB. Moreover, the central CNT plays an important role in maintaining the morphology of CNB.