Optimization Conditions for Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Dispersion

Yunhua Shi, Lingling Ren, Dianqing Li, Huifang Gao, Bing Yang

Department of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China.

DOI: 10.4236/jsemat.2013.31002                

Abstract

The sonication-driven dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in aqueous surfactant solution has been monitored by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Dispersion of SWCNTs experiments reveal that the maximum concentration of dispersed SWCNTs corresponds to the maximum UV-vis-NIR absorbance of the solution. With higher surfactant concentration the dispersion rate of SWCNTs increases and low temperature sonication is required to achieve maximum dispersion. Dispersion of higher SWCNT concentrations requires longer sonication time. For effective dispersion the optimal concentration of surfactant is 1.5 wt%, the concentration of SWCNTs that can be homogeneously dispersed in aqueous solution is about 0.4 mg/ml.

Keywords

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs); Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS); UV-vis-NIR Absorption Spectra; Concentration; Sonication Temperature; Sonication Time

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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