The production of high-quality SWCNT thin films by an efficient and scalable method is a key issue for their practical application in electronics. However, two major obstacles remain: first, the size of fabricated SWCNT films is usually limited to the square centimeter scale, and the batch processing used is not scalable. Second, the optoelectrical performance of SWCNT films remains unsatisfactory due to impurities and structural defects introduced during the fabrication processes. WANG Bingwei and colleagues used a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition technique for continuous synthesis of SWCNTs which were deposited on a repeatedly used moving membrane filter forming SWCNT thin films. Then, the as-deposited film was transferred onto a flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate with the aid of a roll-to-roll transfer system. As there are no impurities and defects introduced in the production processes, these SWCNT films have an excellent optoelectrical performance including a low sheet resistance of 65 Ω/□ with a transmittance of 90% at a wavelength of 550 nm. They are promising candidates for flexible and transparent electronic devices due to their extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and optical properties.

CAS news release, July 5, 2018