Fabrication of infrared-responsive carbon nanotube coating on glass surface through covalent bond formation using photoreactive silane coupling agent

Abstract

A carbon nanotube (CNT) layer was fabricated on a glass surface through covalent bond formation between the CNT and a photoreactive silane layer that was constructed on the glass. The silane layer contains a chlorobenzyl group (–C₆H₄–CH₂Cl) and generates benzyl radicals upon ultraviolet light irradiation; the generated radicals smoothly attack the surface of the CNT to form covalent bonds. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy results revealed the generation of benzyl radicals followed by the formation of covalent bonds between the glass surface and CNT. The as-formed covalent bonds improved the adhesiveness of the CNT layer on the glass surface; further, it was observed that some heat was generated upon infrared light irradiation.