Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Highly Viscous Media: A Comparison between the Dispersive Agents [BMIM][BF4], L121, and Triton X‐100 |
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Authors: | Dr Carla Gasbarri Prof Fausto Croce Dr Ida Meschini Christopher H Bowen Dr Lisa Marinelli Prof Antonio Di Stefano Dr Guido Angelini |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100 Chieti (Italy);2. Department of Energy Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130 (USA) |
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Abstract: | Dispersions of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by using the room‐temperature ionic liquid BMIM]BF4] (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate), the triblock copolymer Pluronic L121 poly(ethylene oxide)5‐poly(propylene oxide)68‐poly(ethylene oxide)5] and the non‐ionic surfactant Triton X‐100 (TX100) in the pure state. The size of the SWNTs aggregates and the dispersion degree in the three viscous systems depend on the sonication time, as highlighted by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy and optical microscopy analysis. A nonlinear increase in conductivity can be observed as a function of the SWNTs loading, as suggested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The generation of a three‐dimensional network of SWNTs showing a viscoelastic gel‐like behavior above a critical percolation concentration has been found at 25 °C in all the investigated systems by oscillatory rheology measurements. |
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Keywords: | impedance ionic liquids nanotubes pluronics rheology |
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