Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polycarbonate

  • Rapid communication
  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in thermoplastic polymers such as polycarbonate have been studied. Dispersion was accomplished by mixing in a conical twin-screw extruder and alignment was carried out using a fiber-spinning apparatus. The effects of mixing time and fiber draw rates on dispersion and alignment were investigated. Uniform dispersions were produced with relatively short residence times in the extruder. Excellent alignment of carbon nanotubes in nanocomposite filaments was obtained when the fiber draw rate was greater than 70 m/min. The ability to closely control the dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymers is expected to lead to the development of nanocomposites with desirable electronic and structural properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, Natick Soldier Center, Materials Science Team, Natick, MA 01760, USA, , , , , , US

    M. Sennett, E. Welsh & J.B. Wright

  2. Department of Physics, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA, , , , , , US

    W.Z. Li, J.G. Wen & Z.F. Ren

Authors
  1. M. Sennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Welsh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J.B. Wright
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W.Z. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J.G. Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Z.F. Ren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received: 7 January 2002 / Accepted: 11 April 2002 / Published online: 10 September 2002

RID="*"

ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-508/233-5521, E-mail: Michael.Sennett@natick.army.mil

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sennett, M., Welsh, E., Wright, J. et al. Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polycarbonate . Appl Phys A 76, 111–113 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-002-1449-x

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-002-1449-x

Search

Navigation