Azopolymer film as an actuator for organizing multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

In this work we show the feasibility of using an azopolymer as an actuator to induce nano- and microscale movements controlled with light from the far field. We study azopolymers and their interaction with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by inducing surface relief gratings (SRG) through optical illumination. Upon different optical treatments, the MWCNTs are organized in the troughs or the crests of a surface relief grating. Large scale organization of MWCNTs has potential in applications such as transparent electronics.