Dispersing nanotubes with surfactants: a microscopic statistical mechanical analysis.
A first theoretical study of surfactant-stabilized carbon nanotube dispersions is presented. Density functional theory is used to compute potential of mean force between nanotubes in an aqueous solution of cationic surfactant n-decyltrimethylammonium chloride. In agreement with experimental results, it is found that stable dispersions can be prepared for surfactant bulk concentrations below the critical micelle concentration. Computed density profiles of head and tail segments indicate that surfactants adsorb on nanotube surfaces in a random fashion rather than form cylindrical micelles, which is also in agreement with recent small-angle neutron scattering measurements.
Patel
Nikhil
N
Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA.
Egorov
Sergei A
SA
D000327:Adsorption; D019563:Mechanics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015233:Models, Statistical; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013501:Surface-Active Agents