The dispersion process of carbon nanotubes sonicated in aqueous solutions of a dispersant

• Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) dispersions are created by sonicating pristine SWNT powders added to aqueous solutions of the dispersant block copolymer Pluronic F127. In those dispersions, the amount of the dispersed SWNT is determined by the combination of TGA and UV-Vis methods, while the dispersant concentration is estimated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the amount of dispersant adsorbed at the SWNT surface is obtained by 1H NMR diffusion experiments. A part of the dispersant is taken up by non-dispersed and precipitated particles. Dispersion curves recording the amount of the dispersed SWNT as a function of either the initial dispersant concentration or the final dispersant concentration are obtained at different initial SWNT loadings and sonication times. The results show in detail the way the original SWNT particles are divided into smaller and smaller sizes thereby increasing the available SWNT surface to be covered by dispersant. Centrifugation sets the size-threshold above which SWNT particles are retained in the dispersion which determined the SWNT content as a function of sonication time.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)