Electro‐optical characterization of carbon nanotube‐based coatings under CO 2 laser irradiation

Conductive coatings made from very thin functionalized (–NH 2 ) multi‐walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in a TiO 2 ‐based sol were irradiated with CO 2 laser using different intensities. It was observed that the electrical and optical properties of the film have changed. Laser‐treated films present lower resistivity than the original non‐irradiated coating. We attribute this behavior to a better densification of the nanotubes with the assist of the laser. Films irradiated with CO 2 presented a higher refractive index than non‐irradiated coatings, showing the susceptibility of the films in optic‐electronic devices. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)