Intercalated carbon nanotube fibers with high specific electrical conductivity
Summary
Translating the conductivity of individual carbon nanotubes into practical, macroscopic conductors remains a challenge. We report highly aligned fibers of double-walled carbon nanotubes intercalated with chains of tetrachloroaluminate anions (AlCl4-) in the intertube channels. The AlCl4- intercalant acts as a noncovalent dopant, accepting 0.65 electrons per anion, mostly from the outer nanotube layer. Combined with a 17% intercalant volume fraction, it produces an increase in room-temperat
Content
# Intercalated carbon nanotube fibers with high specific electrical conductivity
*Published: 2026 Apr 23*
Translating the conductivity of individual carbon nanotubes into practical,
macroscopic conductors remains a challenge. We report highly aligned fibers of
double-walled carbon nanotubes intercalated with chains of tetrachloroaluminate
anions (AlCl4-) in the intertube channels. The AlCl4- intercalant acts as a
noncovalent dopant, accepting 0.65 electrons per anion, mostly from the outer
nanotube layer. Combined with a 17% intercalant volume fraction, it produces an
increase in room-temperature conductivity to values as high as 24.5 mega-Siemens
per meter, which is 41% of that of copper. Specific conductivity values reach
17,345 Siemens-meter squared per kilogram, which is superior to that of metals.
These fibers are five times stronger and half the weight of conventional
overhead cables while remaining stable in dry conditions and retaining 80% of
their conductivity protected from moisture by a cable polymer sheath.
DOI: 10.1126/science.aeb0673