The effect of extended polymer chains on the properties of transparent multi-walled carbon nanotubes/poly(methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid) film

Nanotechnology. 2010 May 7;21(18):185702. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/18/185702. Epub 2010 Apr 9.

Abstract

Optically transparent and electrically conductive thin films composed of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced polymethyl methacrylate/acrylic acid (PMMA/AA) were fabricated using a wire coating technique. Poly(acrylic acid) controls the level of MWCNT dispersion in aqueous mixtures and retains the well-dispersed state in the polymer matrix after solidification resulting from extended polymer chains by adjusting the pH value. The exfoliating the MWCNT bundles by extended polymer chains results in the excellent dispersion of MWCNT. It causes a lower surface electrical resistance at the same MWCNT content. The hydrophilic functional groups (-COO( - )NA( + )) also caused a decrease in the crystallization of PMMA and led to an increase in the transmittance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Impedance
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Polymethacrylic Acids / chemistry*
  • Sodium Hydroxide / chemistry
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Surface Properties
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polymethacrylic Acids
  • Sodium Hydroxide