Characterization of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube–Nitrocellulose Composites

Abstract

Composites of nitrocellulose (NC) and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), as well as fluorinated SWNTs produced by evaporation of solutions of NC and suspended SWNTs (while being subjected to sonication) are characterized. Raman measurements of the NC/SWNT composites showed shifts of the radial breathing and sizable upward shifts of the tangential mode frequency of the SWNT indicative of interaction between the NC and the SWNT. Composites containing 12.5% SWNTs by weight showed a 21% increase in hardness and a resistance of 0.51 Ohm‐cm. Composites of NC containing a similar number of fluorinated carbon nanotubes showed a down shift of the tangential mode frequency, a 23% increase in hardness, and were not conducting. Ferromagnetic resonance and magnetization measurements indicated that the composites were ferromagnetic due to the presence of iron nanoparticles used as catalysts in the synthesis of the carbon nanotubes.