Connection of macro-sized double-walled carbon nanotube strands by current-assisted laser irradiation

Macro-sized (centimeters long) double-walled carbon nanotube (DWNT) strands were connected by current-assisted laser irradiation after bandaging their overlapped ends with DWNT films. During the laser processing, structural transformation of DWNT bundles happened at the joints, which provided molecular bonding between the strands. Tensile tests indicate that the joints made in this way have relatively high tensile strength with a maximum value of 335.6 MPa corresponding to that of the original strands. And the electronic properties of the connected strands were not greatly weakened in our investigation on their temperature dependence of resistivity. This work may offer a promising potential for future extensive use of macro-sized carbon nanotube structures in many fields.