Thick Film Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes by Alternating Electrophoresis

Electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using alternating current electric fields (0.01-1000 Hz) is reported. Pure acetone was used as suspending medium. Two parallel gold electrodes were used as depositing substrate. The effect of depositing parameters such as frequency and three waveforms (sinusoidal, rectangular and triangular) on deposit yield was investigated. According to our experiments, thick films of CNTs are obtainable at frequencies as low as 0.01 to 10 Hz. Results showed that the deposit yield decreases as the frequency increases from 0.01 Hz to 1000 Hz. The rectangular waveform yields more deposit mass compared with sinusoidal and triangular waveforms. Comparison between AC and DC electric fields revealed that the deposition pattern is also different in AC and DC electric fields.