Optimizing the Dispersion of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate

Faculty Mentor Information

Kevin Ausman

Presentation Date

7-2016

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes, because of their remarkable mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, are among the most promising materials within nanotechnology. For most applications the carbon nanotubes must be dispersed uniformly; Van der Waal forces cause the tubes to stick together -- decreasing mechanical properties significantly. To separate the tubes from one another, they must be separated in some sort of medium often by using probe ultrasonication. Many different combinations of ultrasonication parameters --such as total time, amplitude, and concentrations of solvents -- have been used with little understanding of how these parameters affect dispersion quality. This work aims to develop such an understanding of the dispersions in sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate by monitoring the quality of dispersion with near-infrared fluorescence to create a polymer wrapped carbon nanotube aerogel.

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Poster #Th25

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Optimizing the Dispersion of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate

Carbon nanotubes, because of their remarkable mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, are among the most promising materials within nanotechnology. For most applications the carbon nanotubes must be dispersed uniformly; Van der Waal forces cause the tubes to stick together -- decreasing mechanical properties significantly. To separate the tubes from one another, they must be separated in some sort of medium often by using probe ultrasonication. Many different combinations of ultrasonication parameters --such as total time, amplitude, and concentrations of solvents -- have been used with little understanding of how these parameters affect dispersion quality. This work aims to develop such an understanding of the dispersions in sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate by monitoring the quality of dispersion with near-infrared fluorescence to create a polymer wrapped carbon nanotube aerogel.