Carbon nanotubes and conducting polymer composites

Abstract

A nanocomposite is defined as a material of more than one solid phase, where at least one dimension falls in the nanometer range. The combination of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and conducting polymers offers an attractive route for the production of novel compounds that can be used in a variety of application such as sensors, actuators, and molecular scale electronic devices. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop and investigate CNT composites that provide a structural functionality together with one or more other key functions. A variety of novel CNT dispersions were prepared using commercially available CNT systems such as Rice single-walled carbon nanotubes (RCNT), HiPco single-walled carbon nanotubes (HCNT), and Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). This study explored the application of novel functional dispersing agents. Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) a biological molecule, N- sopropylacrylamide 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (NIPPAm-AMPS) a polyelectrolyte, Didodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB) a polymerizable compound, Poly(methoxyaniline-5-sulfonic acid) (PMAS) an inherently conducting polymer, and PVA an insulating polymer were some of the agents used to disperse the CNT. These dispersions were then evaluated in term of their stability and ability to effectively disperse the CNT. Solid-state CNT composites (mats) were then prepared by means of pressure filtration of the CNT/dispersant solutions. These mats were characterized using a variety of different techniques to determine their viability to be used as mechanical actuators or electrochemical devices. The characterization methods included cyclic voltammetry, conductivity, capacitance, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Young’s modulus, and actuation measurements. Abstract RCNT/conducting polymer composites were prepared by the electropolymerization of Pyrrole with a range of different dopant anions in the presence of different RCNT dispersions. In these composites, the RCNT were completely covered by the polymer, consequently the electrochemical responses of these composites were dominated by the electrochemistry of the polymers with the CNT functioning as a conductor element. Polypyrrole was also electropolymerized using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNT) as dopant. Electropolymerization was carried out using galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques on gold-coated Mylar and ITO-glass. It was determined that PPy/FMWCNT composites deposited on either electrode using potentiostatic deposition exhibited redox peaks. This redox behavior was not observed when the galvanostatic deposition was employed. HCNT/Polyaniline (PAn) composites were prepared by either casting a film from a solution of HCNT and PAn in 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, or by casting a film of PAn onto an existing HCNT mat. The latter exhibited the highest conductivity. The actuation behavior of these CNT composites was investigated and it was determined that the PAn component contributes to the actuation strain while the HCNT component contributes to Young’s modulus. The combination of the HCNT (with their mechanical properties) and PAn (with its actuator behavior) offers and attractive route not only to reinforce the polymer film but also to introduce new electronic properties based on morphological modifications or electronic interactions between the two components giving a robust blend of optimum properties. These results open the door for these composites to be used in a variety of applications that require a combination of the above characteristics such as mechanically reinforced actuator devices, robotics, optical fiber switches, prosthetic devices, and anti-vibration systems. In addition, PPy with a range of dopant anions was electrodeposited galvanostatically, potentiostatically, and potentiodynamically on the surface of four different carbon electrodes, RCNT mat (unannealed), RCNT mat (annealed), glassy carbon, and carbon foil. It was found