Research on the dispersion of carbon nanotubes and their application in solution-processed polymeric matrix composites: A review

Abstract

This review highlights and categorizes the approaches for preparation of CNTs dispersion and polymer/CNTs composites via solution-based strategies. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) demonstrate unique physical and chemical properties, which allow several exciting potential applications in various fields including nanocomposites. Presently, the commercialized application of CNTs is still quite limited due to the formation of CNTs bundles, which significantly degrade the properties. Therefore, well dispersion of CNTs in nanocomposites is quite important, especially for CNTs/polymer composites, as a small amount of CNTs can improve the composite properties dramatically. This article will review the research on the dispersion of CNTs (including covalent and non-covalent functionalization) and the fabrication of CNTs/polymer composites through solution-based strategies by using the CNT dispersions. Moreover, the factors influencing the properties of CNTs/polymer composites will be discussed as well as the future outlook.