Flexible and Thermally Stable Optical Polarizers Based on Highly Aligned Carbon Nanotube Sheets for the Visible Spectral Range

Development of new types of optical components applicable to flexible and stretched substrates is essential for designing innovative display platforms for wearable and outdoor applications. Here, a novel polarizer based on highly aligned macroscopic carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets with flexibility, thermal stability, high polarization efficiency, and high transmittance is introduced. Since the conductive multiwalled CNTs are essentially held together by van der Waals forces, wire-grid-type polarizers of well-aligned conductive CNTs in one direction can be developed without complex and difficult manufacturing processes. The CNT sheet exhibits uniform polarization efficiency in the visible light region and maintains its polarization characteristics without physical deformation even at temperatures greater than 100 °C. Moreover, the transmission according to the angle formed by two CNT sheets follows the Malus law, similar to a typical polarizer. Finally, the applicability of the CNT sheet polarizer on a commercial liquid crystal displays monitor is demonstrated.