A Raman Investigation of Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in a Soft Polymeric Matrix

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterize multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) composites. Raman spectra of the MWNTs/SBR composites excited at different excitation wavelengths show that the dependence of the D band of carbon nanotubes on the laser energy has the same behavior as that of pure MWNTs. Raman spectra are shown to be sensitive to the state of dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the polymeric medium. On the other hand, analysis of Raman spectra of uniaxially stretched composites reveals a weak interface between the polymer and the nanotube surface.