Mechanical agitation induces counterintuitive aggregation of pre-dispersed carbon nanotubes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Fernandes, RMF (Author) Other; Buzaglo, M (Author) Other; Regev, O (Author) Other; Furo, I (Author) Other; Eduardo F Marques (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Vol. 493

Pages: 398-404

ISSN: 0021-9797

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-MCP

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.01.040

Abstract (EN): Mechanical agitation is commonly used to fragment and disperse insoluble materials in liquids. However, here we show that when pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes pre-dispersed in water are subject to vortex-shaking for very short periods (typically 10-60 s, power density similar to 0.002 W mL(-1)), re-aggregation counterintuitively occurs. The initial dispersions are produced using surfactants as dispersants and powerful tip sonication (similar to 1 W mL(-1)) followed by centrifugation. Detailed imaging by light and electron microscopies shows that the vortex-induced aggregates consist of loose networks (1-10(2) pm in size) of intertwined tubes and thin bundles. The average aggregate size increases with vortexing time in an apparently logarithmic manner and depends on the dispersant used, initial concentration of nanotubes and size distribution of bundles. The aggregation is, nonetheless, reversible: if the vortex-shaken dispersions are mildly bath-sonicated (similar to 0.03 W mL(-1)), the flocs break down and re-dispersal occurs. Molecular insight for the mechanism behind this surprising phenomenon is put forth.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7