Dopant boosts carbon nanotubes’ conductivity tenfold

DFT simulation

Source: © A I de Isidro-Gómez et al/Science/AAAS

Doped nanotubes could enable stronger, lighter electricity cables

Doping carbon nanotubes with tetrachloroaluminate can increase their electrical conductivity around tenfold without harming the nanotube structures, researchers in Spain have shown. The research helps explain the chemistry of nanotube doping, and could potentially lead to applications such as lighter, stronger cables for electricity distribution.