Carbon Nanotube Rectifier With Conjugated Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rectifying elements using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) face issues with increased resistance and instability due to CNT contact and dispersion challenges, leading to inefficient power conversion and complex production processes.
Innovation Solution
A rectifying element comprising an insulating base with a semiconductor layer containing carbon nanotube composites, where carbon nanotubes are adhered with a conjugated polymer, and an additional insulating layer electrically isolates one of the electrodes, improving dispersion and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple CNTs are simply used in a rectifying element, then the device can be manufactured with simpler processes, but the resistance of the rectifying element is increased and the performance becomes unstable due to contact variations between CNTs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conjugated polymer as an intermediary material that adheres to the surface of carbon nanotubes. This polymer layer acts as a mediator that improves the dispersion of CNTs in the semiconductor layer and ensures stable electrical contact between CNTs and electrodes, thereby reducing resistance variations and improving performance stability without complicating the manufacturing process
2Reliability
If multiple CNTs are dispersed uniformly in a semiconductor layer, then the forward resistance is reduced and stability is improved, but the production process becomes more complex due to the need for functional group introduction and crosslinked site formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the CNT surface by introducing functional groups that enable conjugated polymer adhesion. This parameter change allows the CNTs to be uniformly dispersed in the semiconductor layer while maintaining stable performance, achieving both improved reliability and simplified production by eliminating the need for separate crosslinked site formation steps
3Loss of energy
If CNTs are used to reduce forward resistance, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but the dispersion of CNTs becomes insufficient leading to increased resistance and small current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material structure where carbon nanotubes are coated with conjugated polymers. This composite structure combines the high electrical conductivity of CNTs with the excellent dispersion properties of conjugated polymers, achieving both low forward resistance for high power conversion efficiency and uniform dispersion for stable current flow
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the rectifying properties by reducing forward resistance and simplifying the production process, achieving efficient power conversion and improved stability in the rectifying element.
Implementation Method 1
a conjugated polymer adhered onto at least a part of the surface of the carbon nanotube
Implementation Method 2
An antenna installed in the tag receives a carrier wave sent from an antenna in an external reader/writer and induces an electromotive force through electromagnetic induction
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a rectifying element which is provided with an insulating base, (a) a pair of electrodes composed of a first electrode and a second electrode and (b) a semiconductor layer arranged between the pair of electrodes, wherein the components (a) and (b) are provided on a first surface of the insulating base. The rectifying element is configured such that the semiconductor layer (b) contains carbon nanotube composites each of which comprises a carbon nanotube and a conjugated polymer adhered onto at least a part of the surface of the carbon nanotube. The present invention provides a rectifying element having excellent rectifying properties by a simple process.