A paper like structure formed by binding self-assembled glass microballoons using random CNF networks

Abstract A paper like structure formed from hollow glass microballoons and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is reported. A layer of Ni coated glass microballoons was first formed on a silicon wafer substrate by a process similar to dip coating. This technique comprised of immersing the wafer in ethanol suspension of Ni coated microballoons and lowering the level of suspension by draining from the bottom. Random networks of CNFs were then generated by growing them on the surfaces of the self-assembled microballoons using thermal chemical vapor deposition of acetylene at 570 °C. The self-assembled microballoons were bonded together with the CNF networks to form a paper like structure in approximately 20 min of growth time. The dimension of the structure was as big as the dimension of the wafer (~ 60 × 18 mm). The electrical conductivity of the structure was measured as 7.46 S/m. The structure could potentially be used to fabricate conductive nanofoam films and directly as a sensing element.