The dispersion stability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the presence of poly(styrene/α-methyl styrene/acrylic acid) random terpolymer

Hyuck Chang Woo, Woo Cheong In, Eun Shim Sang, Soonja Choe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aqueous dispersions of pristine and functionalized (COOH- and NH 2-) multi-walled, carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by using three types of surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic), PEO-PPO-PEO (Pluronic P84, non-ionic), and poly(styrene/α-methyl styrene/acrylic acid) random terpolymer, i.e., alkali-soluble resin (ASR). The aggregate size, ζ-potential, and storage stability of the MWNT aqueous dispersions were investigated by using dynamic light scattering and the turbidity method at room temperature. The exfoliation of the MWNT aggregates was determined by a UV-visible spectrophotometer and the morphology of the surfactant-coated MWNTs was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In all cases, ASR showed better dispersion stability with the smallest aggregate size, compared with the other surfactants, because of its unique molecular structure, i.e., randomly incorporated carboxylic acid groups and planar phenyl groups that can be irreversibly and effectively adsorbed on the MWNT surface. A predominantly-exfoliated morphology of MWNTs was observed in the presence of ASR from the strong intensity of the UV-vis spectrum at 263 nm.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)545-551
Number of pages7
JournalMacromolecular Research
Volume14
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006

Keywords

  • Alkali-soluble resin
  • Dispersion stability
  • Multi-walled carbon nanotubes
  • Terpolymer
  • Ultrasonication

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