Microscale polymer-nanotube composites.
Polymer colloids with an interfacial coating of purified single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are synthesized from length- and type-sorted SWCNTs. Aqueous nanotube suspensions sorted through density-gradient ultracentrifugation are used to emulsify spherical polymer colloids of microscale dimensions that are characterized through a combination of optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. The SWCNT-polymer composite particles exhibit electrical conductivities comparable to or better than those of bulk SWCNT-polymer composites at nanotube loadings of more than 1 order of magnitude lower. The composite particles retain the unique electronic and optical characteristics of the parent SWCNT solution with potential applications as microelectronic and microoptical components.
Hobbie
Erik K
EK
Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA. erik.hobbie@nist.gov
Fagan
Jeffrey A
JA
Obrzut
Jan
J
Hudson
Steven D
SD
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004581:Electronics; D007834:Lasers; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
D003102:Colloids; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers