Correlation between electrokinetic potential, dispersibility, surface chemistry and energy of carbon nanotubes

Peng Cheng Ma; Naveed A. Siddiqui; Edith Mäder; Jang Kyo Kim

doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.07.014

Correlation between electrokinetic potential, dispersibility, surface chemistry and energy of carbon nanotubes

Peng Cheng Ma, Naveed A. Siddiqui, Edith Mäder, Jang Kyo Kim

Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper proposes the correlation between the electrokinetic potential, dispersibility in solvents, surface energy and oxygen content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) affected by functionalization. Colloidal systems consisting of CNTs with varying degrees of dispersion are prepared and characterized to evaluate CNT dispersibility and suspension stability in solvents with different polarities. The results show that an absolute value of zeta potential at about 25. mV is closely related to the micro- and macroscopic dispersion of CNTs, whereas a high absolute value of 40. mV is regarded as an indication of high quality CNT dispersion with much enhanced suspension stability in solvents. The absolute zeta potential value increases consistently with increasing degree of CNT functionality, the increase being most pronounced in a hydrophilic liquid such as water. A linear correlation is established between the surface energy of a CNT film and the oxygen to carbon ratio of CNT surface. The CNT dispersibility in a liquid is determined not only by their physical states, but also by the hydrophilicity and surface functionality of CNTs, all of which are reflected by zeta potential.

Original language	British English
Pages (from-to)	1644-1651
Number of pages	8
Journal	Composites Science and Technology
Volume	71
Issue number	14
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.07.014
State	Published - 30 Sep 2011

Keywords

A. Carbon nanotubes
A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
B. Interface
B. Surface treatments
D. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

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10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.07.014

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title = "Correlation between electrokinetic potential, dispersibility, surface chemistry and energy of carbon nanotubes",

abstract = "This paper proposes the correlation between the electrokinetic potential, dispersibility in solvents, surface energy and oxygen content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) affected by functionalization. Colloidal systems consisting of CNTs with varying degrees of dispersion are prepared and characterized to evaluate CNT dispersibility and suspension stability in solvents with different polarities. The results show that an absolute value of zeta potential at about 25. mV is closely related to the micro- and macroscopic dispersion of CNTs, whereas a high absolute value of 40. mV is regarded as an indication of high quality CNT dispersion with much enhanced suspension stability in solvents. The absolute zeta potential value increases consistently with increasing degree of CNT functionality, the increase being most pronounced in a hydrophilic liquid such as water. A linear correlation is established between the surface energy of a CNT film and the oxygen to carbon ratio of CNT surface. The CNT dispersibility in a liquid is determined not only by their physical states, but also by the hydrophilicity and surface functionality of CNTs, all of which are reflected by zeta potential.",

keywords = "A. Carbon nanotubes, A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), B. Interface, B. Surface treatments, D. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)",

author = "Ma, {Peng Cheng} and Siddiqui, {Naveed A.} and Edith M{\"a}der and Kim, {Jang Kyo}",

note = "Funding Information: This project was supported by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong SAR and Finetex-HKUST R&D Centre. Part of research was conducted when PCM was a postdoctoral fellow supported by the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation. Technical assistance from the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facilities (MCPF) and the Advanced Engineering Materials Facilities (AEMF) of HKUST is also appreciated.",

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AU - Siddiqui, Naveed A.

AU - Mäder, Edith

AU - Kim, Jang Kyo

N1 - Funding Information: This project was supported by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong SAR and Finetex-HKUST R&D Centre. Part of research was conducted when PCM was a postdoctoral fellow supported by the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation. Technical assistance from the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facilities (MCPF) and the Advanced Engineering Materials Facilities (AEMF) of HKUST is also appreciated.

PY - 2011/9/30

Y1 - 2011/9/30

N2 - This paper proposes the correlation between the electrokinetic potential, dispersibility in solvents, surface energy and oxygen content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) affected by functionalization. Colloidal systems consisting of CNTs with varying degrees of dispersion are prepared and characterized to evaluate CNT dispersibility and suspension stability in solvents with different polarities. The results show that an absolute value of zeta potential at about 25. mV is closely related to the micro- and macroscopic dispersion of CNTs, whereas a high absolute value of 40. mV is regarded as an indication of high quality CNT dispersion with much enhanced suspension stability in solvents. The absolute zeta potential value increases consistently with increasing degree of CNT functionality, the increase being most pronounced in a hydrophilic liquid such as water. A linear correlation is established between the surface energy of a CNT film and the oxygen to carbon ratio of CNT surface. The CNT dispersibility in a liquid is determined not only by their physical states, but also by the hydrophilicity and surface functionality of CNTs, all of which are reflected by zeta potential.

AB - This paper proposes the correlation between the electrokinetic potential, dispersibility in solvents, surface energy and oxygen content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) affected by functionalization. Colloidal systems consisting of CNTs with varying degrees of dispersion are prepared and characterized to evaluate CNT dispersibility and suspension stability in solvents with different polarities. The results show that an absolute value of zeta potential at about 25. mV is closely related to the micro- and macroscopic dispersion of CNTs, whereas a high absolute value of 40. mV is regarded as an indication of high quality CNT dispersion with much enhanced suspension stability in solvents. The absolute zeta potential value increases consistently with increasing degree of CNT functionality, the increase being most pronounced in a hydrophilic liquid such as water. A linear correlation is established between the surface energy of a CNT film and the oxygen to carbon ratio of CNT surface. The CNT dispersibility in a liquid is determined not only by their physical states, but also by the hydrophilicity and surface functionality of CNTs, all of which are reflected by zeta potential.

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KW - A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)

KW - B. Interface

KW - B. Surface treatments

KW - D. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

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Correlation between electrokinetic potential, dispersibility, surface chemistry and energy of carbon nanotubes

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