The production of soft, durable, and electrically conductive polyester multifilament yarns by dye-printing them with carbon nanotubes

Abstract Carbon nanotube based dyestuffs were prepared by dispersing aggregates of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in water using a blend of zwitterionic surfactants with anionic surfactants. Using a dye-printing approach, the carbon nanotubes were directly applied to polyester multifilament yarns to form an electrically conductive layer over each filament of the multifilament yarn. Yarns having electrical resistivity ranging from 10 3 to 10 9  ohm/cm were obtained. Yarn with a resistivity of 10 3  ohm/cm could be used to form flat, soft, and portable electrical heaters by vertically weaving the yarns into fabrics. The 10 5  ohm/cm yarns could be used for anti-static clothing, and the 10 9  ohm/cm level yarns for brushes for photocopying machines.