Polymer binders for flexible and transparent conductive coatings containing carbon nanotubes

• US 20050209392A1
• Filed: 12/17/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eikos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eikos, Inc.
• Inventors: Luo, Jiazhong, Glatkowski, Paul J., Wallis, Philip
• Application Number:
  US11/014,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20050209392A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 524/496
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2367/02 Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds; C08J2367/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/0427 with only one layer of a composition containing a polymer binder with more layers C08J7/042
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/043 Improving the adhesiveness of the coatings per se, e.g. forming primers adhesives in the form of films or foils characterised by the primer layers between the polymer carriers and the adhesives C09J7/50
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/044 Forming conductive coatings; Forming coatings having anti-static properties
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/046 Forming abrasion-resistant coatings; Forming surface-hardening coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/041 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 127/16 Homopolymers or copolymers of vinylidene fluoride
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 127/18 Homopolymers or copolymers of tetrafluoroethene
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/24 Electrically-conducting paints conductive materials H01B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/61 inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/67 Particle size smaller than 100 nm
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/70 characterised by shape, e.g. fibres, flakes or microspheres

Abstract

This invention relates to flexible, transparent and conductive coatings and films formed using single wall carbon nanotubes and polymer binders. Preferably, coatings and films are formed from carbon nanotubes (CNT) applied to transparent substrates forming one or multiple conductive layers at nanometer level of thickness. Polymer binders are applied to the CNT network coating having an open structure to provide protection through infiltration. This provides for the enhancement of properties such as moisture resistance, thermal resistance, abrasion resistance and interfacial adhesion. Polymers may be thermoplastics or thermosets, or any combination of both. Polymers may also be insulative or inherently electrical conductive, or any combination of both. Polymers may comprise single or multiple layers as a basecoat underneath a CNT coating, or a topcoat above a CNT coating, or combination of the basecoat and the topcoat forming a sandwich structure. Binder coating thickness can be adjusted by changing binder concentration, coating speed and/or other process conditions. Resulting films and articles can be used as transparent conductors for flat panel display, touch screen and other electronic devices.

Claims

1. A transparent and conductive coating or film comprised of carbon nanotubes and a polymer binder which together form a network, wherein the polymer binder protects the coating or layer by infiltration into the network.

2. The coating or film of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubes are SWCNT.