Study on the improvement of dispersibility and orientation control of fluorocarbon‐modified single‐walled carbon nanotubes in a fluorinated polymer matrix

Abstract

AbstractA technique for improving the dispersibility of fluorocarbon‐modified, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in fluorinated polymers was investigated. Furthermore, we aimed to achieve uniaxial orientation of SWCNT aggregates via a simple high‐temperature drawing method to yield fluoropolymer‐based nanocomposites containing uniform dispersed SWCNTs. Highly water‐repellent SWCNTs were mixed with phase‐separable fluorinated polymers by the chemical modification of their surfaces with fluorocarbons. Introducing a fluorinated phosphonic acid surfactant with a high‐sublimation temperature as the third component to improve dispersibility in the polymer matrix resulted in an innovative improvement. The uniform dispersed SWCNTs in the matrix improved the crystallinity, crystallization temperature, and mechanical characteristics of the composites. The high‐temperature uniaxial orientation of the composite material reduced differences in the physical properties in the polymer due to differences in the initial dispersibility. This effect was expected since the drawing process promoted the deagglomeration of SWCNTs in the matrix. However, optimal physical properties were observed in SWCNT‐oriented composite samples with an excellent initial dispersion.