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pps proceeding
Symposium: S06 - Nanocomposites
Oral Presentation
 
 

Understanding the effect of ‘agglomerated’ structure of different types of multiwall carbon nanotubes on the state of dispersion

Bhattacharyya Arup R. (1)*, Banerjee Joyita (1), Panwar Ajay S. (1)

(1) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay - Maharashtra - India

The state of dispersion of different types of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in aqueous media has been investigated through various characterization techniques. The experimental results has shown a significant variation in functionality, extent of purity, extent of crystallinity, variation in the number of outer walls and the state of ‘agglomeration’ among the respective MWNTs, which consequently influence the properties associated with the corresponding nanotubes. An attempt has been made to deagglomerate MWNTs via the use of a novel organic modifier; Li salt of 6-aminohexanoic acid (Li-AHA). The mechanism of dispersion of MWNTs in the presence of Li-AHA has been evaluated. Further, the stability of the aqueous dispersion of Li-AHA modified MWNTs has been analyzed via UV-visible spectroscopy, Zeta potential measurement and BET analysis. Moreover, the effect of pH on the stability of the aqueous dispersion of individual nanotubes has also been analyzed. In addition, flow cytometry analysis (FACS) has been used qualitatively to study the extent of dispersion of MWNTs in the presence of the organic modifier. Moreover, effect of the modification will be assessed through morphology and electrical conductivity measurements of melt-mixed polypropylene/MWNTs composites. Polymer/MWNTs interaction will also be evaluated through specific heat capacity measurements and also via non-isothermal crystallization studies. Keywords: Dispersion, FACS, Zeta potential, organic modifier *Corresponding Author: * Arup Ranjan Bhattacharyya: e-mail id - arupranjan@iitb.ac.in