Length characterization of multi-walled CNT by capillary hydrodynamic fractionation (CHDF).
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) should be treated via cutting process for engineering applications because almost as-prepared MWCNT are highly entangled and aggregated. Especially, the size distribution of MWCNT after cutting process is very important factor to determine the final properties of polymer-MWCNT composite. In this study, we take a novel method for CNT characterization, a capillary hydrodynamic fractionation (CHDF), which is a traditional chromatographic method for colloid particles. The length distributions of pre-treated MWCNT by two different methods were investigated by CHDF. One is a high-power ultrasonication directly and the other is an acid treatment followed by a high-power ultrasonication. For MWCNT, retention volume apparently depends on a combination of the length, diameter and rigidity of CNTs. We found that a high-power ultrasonication renders MWCNT short into segments of a few micrometers and the additional treatment by acid solution made those much shorter and more flexible.
Park
Hye Jin
HJ
Hybrid Materials Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Korea.
Noh
Hanna
H
Park
Min
M
Park
Kihong
K
Chang
Ji Young
JY
Lee
Hyunjung
H