Rapid carbon nanotubes suspension in organic solvents using organosilicon polymers

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 470; pp. 123 - 131
• Main Authors: Dalcanale, Federico, Grossenbacher, Jonas, Blugan, Gurdial, Gullo, Maurizio R., Brugger, Jürgen, Tevaearai, Hendrik, Graule, Thomas, Kuebler, Jakob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15-05-2016
• Subjects: Aerogel; Bonding; Carbon nanotubes; Catalysts; Chloroform; Dispersion; Hydrosilylation; MWCNT suspension; Polycarbosilane; Polycarbosilanes; Polysilazane; Solvents; Polycarbosilane; MWCNT suspension; Hydrosilylation; Aerogel; Polysilazane
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2016.02.050

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A strategy for a simple dispersion of commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using two organosilicones, polycarbosilane SMP10 and polysilazane Ceraset PSZ20, in organic solvents such as cyclohexane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), m-xylene and chloroform is presented. In just a few minutes the combined action of sonication and the presence of Pt(0) catalyst is sufficient to obtain a homogeneous suspension, thanks to the rapid hydrosilylation reaction between SiH groups of the polymer and the CNT sidewall. The as-produced suspensions have a particle size distribution <1μm and remain unchanged after several months. A maximum of 0.47 and 0.50mg/ml was achieved, respectively, for Ceraset in THF and SMP10 in chloroform. Possible applications as polymeric and ceramic thin films or aerogels are presented.