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Fabrication of Millimeter‐Long Carbon Tubular Nanostructures Using the Self‐Rolling Process Inherent in Elastic Protein Layers
Author(s) -
Ko Hyojin,
Deravi Leila F.,
Park SungJin,
Jang Jingon,
Lee Takhee,
Kang Cheong,
Lee Jin Seok,
Parker Kevin Kit,
Shin Kwanwoo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201701732
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon nanotube , graphene , raman spectroscopy , polymerization , nanotechnology , nanomaterials , fabrication , layer (electronics) , nanostructure , carbon fibers , polymer , chemical engineering , composite material , composite number , medicine , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , optics , engineering
Millimeter‐long conducting fibers can be fabricated from carbon nanomaterials via a simple method involving the release of a prestrained protein layer. This study shows how a self‐rolling process initiated by polymerization of a micropatterned layer of fibronectin (FN) results in the production of carbon nanomaterial‐based microtubular fibers. The process begins with deposition of carbon nanotube (CNT) or graphene oxide (GO) particles on the FN layer. Before polymerization, particles are discrete and nonconducting, but after polymerization the carbon materials become entangled to form an interconnected conducting network clad by FN. Selective removal of FN using high‐temperature combustion yields freestanding CNT or reduced GO microtubular fibers. The properties of these fibers are characterized using atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The data suggest that this method may provide a ready route to rapid design and fabrication of aligned biohybrid nanomaterials potentially useful for future electronic applications.