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pH‐reversible destabilization‐dispersion of MWCNTs coated with functional plasma polymer films in water
Author(s) -
Jorge Larissa,
GirardLauriault PierreLuc,
Coulombe Sylvain
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plasma processes and polymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1612-8869
pISSN - 1612-8850
DOI - 10.1002/ppap.201700026
Subject(s) - materials science , polymer , dispersion (optics) , plasma , composite material , chemical engineering , optics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The stability in water of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with N‐ or O‐rich plasma polymers (PPs) is investigated at different pH values. MWCNTs are coated with PPs by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of ethylene and ammonia or ethylene and carbon dioxide. MWCNTs coated with N‐rich PP in water at pH 12 exist as agglomerates that readily sediment, whereas, the agglomerate size decreases and suspension stability increases as the pH changes from 10 to 2. The reverse effect is observed for MWCNTs coated with O‐rich PP which form agglomerates at pH 2, but are stable from pH 4–12. By switching the pH of suspensions containing either one of these coated MWCNTs, it is possible to cycle through destabilization and dispersion steps.