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Single‐walled carbon nanotube silica composites obtained by an inorganic sol–gel route
Author(s) -
Jung de Andrade M.,
Lima M. Dias,
Stein L.,
Pérez C.,
Roth S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
physica status solidi (b)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1521-3951
pISSN - 0370-1972
DOI - 10.1002/pssb.200776114
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , silicic acid , materials science , composite material , chemical engineering , catalysis , scanning electron microscope , matrix (chemical analysis) , aqueous solution , chemical vapor deposition , nanotechnology , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
In the present work we first report on a successful incorporation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into silica matrix prepared using an inorganic sol–gel method. Through this route non‐aqueous solvents are avoided and the stability of the carbon nanotubes suspensions is not affected. SWCNTs produced by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) were dispersed in deionized water using an amphilic surfactant. As a precursor for the silica matrix an inexpensive silicic acid was used. By this route SWCNTs/silica composites were produced in the form of films and pellets. Microhardness measurements and electron microscopy suggest an important interaction between SWCNTs and the silica matrix what is important from the application point of view. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)