STRAIN-INDUCED RESISTANCE CHANGES OF CARBON NANOTUBE FILMS

The strain-induced resistance changes of both SWNT and MWNT films have been studied. Carbon nanotubes in this study were synthesized by hot filament chemical vapor deposition. Experimental results showed that there is a striking piezoresistive effect in carbon nanotube films. The relative change in resistance of carbon nanotube films was increased with the increasing strain. In the same strain, the resistance changes of SWNT films exceed that of MWNT films. The origin of the resistance change in the films may be caused by strain-induced change in the bandgap and intertube contact resistance.