Adsorption of carbon nanotubes on the polymeric surfaces

초록

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most exciting new materials since their discovery in 1991. Many of their outstanding properties can be best exploited by incorporating CNTs into some form of matrix, and the preparation of CNT-containing composite materials is now a rapidly growing research area. In may cases, these composites use the polymer matrices. Polymer composites reinforced with CNTs are believed to have many potential engineering uses, ranging from battery electrodes and electronic devices to much stronger composites. Therefore, CNT-reinforced polymer composites have potential applications in defense and aerospace applications, where high strength and lightweight components are of primary importance. In addition to their mechanical properties, the electrical properties of CNTs can be utilized to impart conductivity to non-conducting polymers, thereby improving electrostatic charge dissipation and electromagnetic shielding efficiency. Accordingly, many polymers are presently being investigated as host matrices for CNTs and resulting composites have been demonstrated to show improved mechanical and electrical properties. Commonly used techniques to fabricate CNT-composite materials rely on solution casting, melt processing, wet spinning and electrospinning.1 In this study, we demonstrate a new and simple processing route to incorporate CNTs into polymer matrix by adsorption.2 CNTs were adsorbed on the surface of polymers by dip-coating in nanotube dispersion. The nanotube dispersion was prepared by sonication of CNTs in organic solvent or water with surfactants. The nanotube adsorbed polymers not only provide good electrical properties but also maintain inherent characteristics of the polymers such as their high mechanical properties or flexibility. Also, the effect of surfactant upon adsorption of CNTs on polymers was investigated using atomic force microscopy and electron microscopies.3