title: In situ measurements of nanotube dimensions in suspensions by depolarized dynamic light scattering.
abstract: We show that the dimensions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in suspension can be characterized by depolarized dynamic light scattering. Taking advantages of this in situ technique, we investigate in detail the influence of sonication procedures on the length and diameter of CNTs in surfactant solutions. Sonication power is shown to be particularly efficient at unbundling nanotubes, whereas a long sonication time at low power can be sufficient to cut the bundles with limited unbundling. We finally demonstrate the influence of CNT dimensions on the electrical properties of CNT fibers. Slightly varying the sonication conditions, and thereby the suspended nanotube dimensions, can affect the fibers conductivity by almost 2 orders of magnitude.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badaire
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poulin
authors.forename: Maryse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maugey
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zakri
mesh_terms: D008027:Light; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon