Carbon nanotube films, in particular, have garnered considerable attention. These films are essentially sheets of carbon nanotubes that have been arranged in a specific pattern. They are known for their extraordinary electronic and mechanical properties, optical transparencies, biocompatibilities, and chemical stabilities.

One of the most promising applications of carbon nanotube films is in the field of flexible electronics. These films can be used to create thin-film transistors, integrated circuits, and sensors2. They can also be used as transparent electrodes, offering a high level of conductivity and mechanical compliance.

The fabrication of carbon nanotube films involves two main strategies. The first is the superaligned films of carbon nanotubes drawn from vertically grown carbon nanotube forests using the “dry-drawing” technique. The second is the deposition or embedding of carbon nanotubes onto flexible or stretchable substrates.

Carbon nanotube films also have potential use in energy storage, thermal management, and electromagnetic interference shielding4. However, their fabrication processes can be inefficient, expensive, and energy-consuming, and the films themselves can be mechanically brittle.

Despite these challenges, the future of carbon nanotube films looks promising. Recent progress in chirality-controlled growth and post-growth separation has opened up new possibilities for the practical use of carbon nanotube devices2. As research continues, we can expect to see carbon nanotube films playing an increasingly important role in the technology of the future.