Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in Aqueous Media by Various Surfactants for Preparation of High Internal Phase Emulsions

Carbon nanotubes were successfully dispersed in aqueous media using various surfactants. The efficiency of surfactants in exfoliating carbon nanotube bundles in aqueous media was evaluated by various techniques including field emission electron microscopy (FESEM) and ultraviolet spectroscopy. The observed results were analyzed based on the molecular structure of surfactants and their probable configuration on the surface of carbon nanotubes. The CNT dispersions were used for preparation of polypyrrole/CNT nanocomposite and polyHIPE/CNT composite foam. According to the results, the mixed surfactant system consisting of Pluronic F127 and sodium ioctylsulfosuccinate (SDOSS) outperformed other surfactants in exfoliating CNT bundles in aqueous media. Consequently, the polyHIPE/CNT foam prepared with F127/SDOSS mixed surfactant showed desirable electrical conductivity while preserving the characteristic open-cellular structure of this type of porous foams.

Keywords:

Carbon nanotubes , dispersion , nanocomposite , high internal phase emulsion