Carbon nanotube deposition through intermittent high voltage pulsed electrophoresis on jute fibre

Abstract

Electrophoretic deposition is an efficient, high-level process for the manufacture of films or coatings from colloidal suspensions. In this process, electrophoretically deposited materials exhibit good microstructure homogeneity and high packing density. The effect of Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) deposition through intermittent high voltage Electrophoretic Deposition (EDP) on the Jute Fibre (JF) surface is analysed. This is a method adapted from the conventional EDP process. Therefore, two parameters, such as pulse type and medium type, are evaluated to obtain an effective and uniform CNT deposition on the JF surface. The pulse types are positive pulse discharge and positive and negative pulse discharge. Both pulses are intermittent and delivered at high voltages. On the other hand, two medium types were considered. The first is composed of CNT and deionized water, and the other is composed of CNT, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), and deionized water. According to the microscopy results and TG, it is clear that the introduction of SDS on the medium, under positive and negative pulse discharge, provided an effective and homogeneous CNT deposition onto the JF surface. As a result of good CNT deposition, it was an enhancement in electrical conductivity and an increase in oxygen functional groups compared to untreated JF. Also, the JF became hydrophobic.