Carbon nanotube-quantum dot paper for radiation sensitive Electro-mechanical system

Hybrid nanostructures offer unparalleled properties by coupling different functionalities. Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by in-situ decoration of zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) i.e. ZnO QDs@MWCNTs induces highly sensitive opto-electro-mechanical response. Freestanding paper of ZnO QDs@MWCNTs demonstrated an enhancement of ~122% in the response current upon infrared (radiation) illumination as compared to only MWCNT paper. Moreover, the radiation interaction revealed a comparatively quicker response and recovery time of ~42.4% and ~19.4% respectively. Electro-mechanical measurements revealed a ~349% increment in actuation at 3 V bias owing to increase in net polarization enhancement. Radiation induced actuation further revealed a ~111 ± 4% actuation compared to the electro-mechanical actuation. Through this work we demonstrate MWCNT coupled with dielectric QDs paves extraordinary functionalities altogether for the development of smart micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems.