Characterisation of commercially CVD grown multi-walled carbon nanotubes for paint applications

Christopher Michael White, Richard Banks, Ian Hamerton, John F Watts

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

88 Citations (Scopus)
553 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Commercially grown, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), available in kilogram quantities from three commercial suppliers have been characterised using a number of analytical techniques. The catalysts used in the growth of the MWNTs are identified by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and different growth mechanisms are postulated to explain the various structures present in the MWNT stock in its as-supplied form. A tightening of the agglomerate structures during purification and functionalisation is shown using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confirmed more qualitatively using pore-size distributions obtained using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method and non-local density functional theory (NLDFT) calculations. Differences in thermal stability are shown using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and are related back to the residual catalysts present. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to confirm functionalisation of certain grades and Raman spectroscopy is used to investigate the level of defects present.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-53
Number of pages10
JournalProgress in Organic Coatings
Volume90
Early online date22 Oct 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

Bibliographical note

Date of Acceptance: 22/09/2015

Keywords

  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Surface analysis
  • Electron microscopy
  • Raman spectroscopy

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