title: Enhanced dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotubes in natural rubber latex nanocomposites by surfactants bearing phenyl groups.
abstract: Here is presented a systematic study of the dispersibility of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in natural rubber latex (NR-latex) assisted by a series of single-, double-, and triple-sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants containing phenyl ring moieties. Optical polarising microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy have been performed to obtain the dispersion-level profiles of the MWCNTs in the nanocomposites. Interestingly, a triple-chain, phenyl-containing surfactant, namely sodium 1,5-dioxo-1,5-bis(3-phenylpropoxy)-3-((3-phenylpropoxy)carbonyl) pentane-2-sulfonate (TCPh), has a greater capacity the stabilisation of MWCNTs than a commercially available single-chain sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) surfactant. TCPh provides significant enhancements in the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites, up to ∼10(-2) S cm(-1), as measured by a four-point probe instrument. These results have allowed compilation of a road map for the design of surfactant architectures capable of providing the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs required for the next generation of polymer-carbon-nanotube materials, specifically those used in aerospace technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia; Nanotechnology Research Centre, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia. Electronic address: azmi.mohamed@fsmt.upsi.edu.my.
authors.forename: Azmi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Argo Khoirul
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Anas
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Research Centre, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Suriani Abu
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bakar
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tretya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ardyani
authors.affiliation: Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Manshol W
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Zin
authors.affiliation: Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sofian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sagisaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eastoe
mesh_terms: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000737:chemistry; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013386:Succinates / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D007840:Latex; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers; D013386:Succinates; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C001114:dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid; C024599:thiosuccinic acid
keywords: Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs); Natural rubber latex (NR-latex); Surfactant