Polymer-assisted dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in alcohols and applicability toward carbon nanotube/sol-gel composite formation

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were directly dispersed into various alcohols by sonicating the nanotubes in the presence of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP). Depending upon the alcohol, it was possible to disperse up to 0.3 g of SWCNTs per liter of alcohol using only 0.6 g of P4VP, and with solution stability greater than 6 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy of "bucky" paper prepared from the polymer-treated nanotubes revealed reduced bundle size compared to the corresponding untreated nanotube paper. Additionally, the applicability of the dispersion system in the formation of SWCNT/silica composites is demonstrated.