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Colors of Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Author(s) -
Wei Nan,
Tian Ying,
Liao Yongping,
Komatsu Natsumi,
Gao Weilu,
LyuleevaHusemann Alina,
Zhang Qiang,
Hussain Aqeel,
Ding ErXiong,
Yao Fengrui,
Halme Janne,
Liu Kaihui,
Kono Junichiro,
Jiang Hua,
Kauppinen Esko I.
Publication year - 2021
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.202006395
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , materials science , controllability , structural coloration , carbon black , carbon fibers , colored , suspension (topology) , nanotechnology , chemical physics , composite material , optoelectronics , natural rubber , physics , composite number , mathematics , photonic crystal , homotopy , pure mathematics
Although single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exhibit various colors in suspension, directly synthesized SWCNT films usually appear black. Recently, a unique one‐step method for directly fabricating green and brown films has been developed. Such remarkable progress, however, has brought up several new questions. The coloration mechanism, potentially achievable colors, and color controllability of SWCNTs are unknown. Here, a quantitative model is reported that can predict the specific colors of SWCNT films and unambiguously identify the coloration mechanism. Using this model, colors of 466 different SWCNT species are calculated, which reveals a broad spectrum of potentially achievable colors of SWCNTs. The calculated colors are in excellent agreement with existing experimental data. Furthermore, the theory predicts the existence of many brilliantly colored SWCNT films, which are experimentally expected. This study shows that SWCNTs as a form of pure carbon, can display a full spectrum of vivid colors, which is expected to complement the general understanding of carbon materials.