Abstract
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can be applied in a wide range of fields owing to their excellent mechanical rigidity, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. However, their application is limited because of their strong van der Waals forces and poor dispersion owing to their hydrophobic properties. To address this problem, ultrasonic dispersion technology has been used in the industry. However, very few studies have investigated the surface damage or effectiveness of the surfactants of SWCNTs with a focus on the frequencies of specific ultrasonic equipment. In this study, the dispersibility of SWCNTs at frequencies of 270, 400, and 700 kHz was investigated using a new focused ultrasonic instrument. The dispersion stability of the samples was analyzed according to each frequency, and the SWCNT surface was studied in detail using field-emission transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adsorption of the polymeric surfactant to the SWCNT was most observed at 270 kHz, and the dispersion stability after processing at this frequency was better than that of the other samples. Therefore, the frequency of the ultrasonic intensity has a direct effect on the surface modification of SWCNTs.
Published Version
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