• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.498-505
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• 2007

This study demonstrated the in-situ functionalization with polymers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via emulsion polymerization. Polystyrene-functionalized MWNTs were prepared in an aqueous solution containing styrene monomer, non-ionic surfactant and a cationic coupling agent ([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trime-thylammonium chloride (MATMAC)). This process produced an interesting morphology in which the MWNTs, consisting of bead-string shapes or MWNTs embedded in the beads, when polymer beads were sufficiently large, produced nanohybrid material. This morphology was attributed to the interaction between the cationic coupling agent and the nanotube surface which induced polymerization within the hemimicellar or hemicylindrical structures of surfactant micelles on the surface of the nanotubes. In a solution containing MATMAC alone without surfactant, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were not well-dispersed, and in a solution containing only surfactant without MATMAC, polymeric beads were synthesized in isolation from CNTs and continued to exist separately. The incorporation of MATMAC and surfactant together enabled large amounts of CNTs (> 0.05 wt%) to be well-dispersed in water and very effectively encapsulated by polymer chains. This method could be applied to other well-dispersed CNT solutions containing amphiphilic molecules, regardless of the type (i.e., anionic, cationic or nonionic). In this way, the solubility and dispersion of nanotubes could be increased in a solvent or polymer matrix. By enhancing the interfacial adhesion, this method might also contribute to the improved dispersion of nanotubes in a polymer matrix and thus the creation of superior polymer nanocomposites.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2014

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) composites are studied. To increase the interfacial interactions between PET and MWNTs, the MWNTs are functionalized with bishydroxy-ethylene-terephthalate (BHET). The functionalized MWNTs are melt blended into PET matrix using a twin screw extruder. The amount of MWNTs loaded in PET matrix ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 wt%. After compounding and spinning, the filaments are post-drawn and annealed. To verify the chemical modifications of carbon nanotubes, Raman, $^1H$ NMR, XPS, TGA and FE-SEM are used. The nanocomposites are also analyzed with DSC, TGA, and UTM. These tests show that crystallization temperature and thermal degradation temperature increase due to the functionalized MWNTs. Also, tensile test shows that yield strength and toughness increase more than 30% with addition of only 1 wt% of MWNTs. These results show that the introduction of BHET onto the MWNTs is a very effective way in manufacturing MWNT/PET composite.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.473-480
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• 2008

We have investigated the optimal growth conditions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using the chemical vapor deposition and the Ni nanoparticle arrays. The diameter of the CNT is shown to be controlled down to below 20 nm by changing the size of Ni particle. The position and size of Ni particles are controlled continuously by using wafer-scale compatible methods such as lithography, ion-milling, and chemical etching. Using optimal growth conditions of temperature, carbon feedstock, and carrier gases, we have demonstrated that an individual CNT can be grown from each Ni nanoparticle with almost 100% probability over wide area of $SiO_2/Si$ wafer. The position, diameter, and wall thickness of the CNT are shown to be controlled by adjusting the growth conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2022

High-purity waste CNTs were mixed into cement mortar to manufacture heat-generating concrete that can use low voltage power, and carbon fiber and waste cathode materials were also used improve the conductivity of the mortar. The waste CNTs were analyzed to have a high concentration of multi-walled CNTs, and substituted liquid type waste CNTs were used during mortar mixing in order to increase dispersibility. The temperature change of the mortar with CNT was evaluated when using electric power below DC 24 V in order to utilize a small self-generation facility such as small solar power module when the mortar heats up and to minimize electromagnetic waves. When liquid-type waste CNTs were applied and a voltage of DC 24 V was introduced, it rose to 60 ℃ in a 200 × 100 × 50 mm mortar block specimen. The field applicability of self heating mortar with waste CNT was sufficient and also the amount of change in heat energy in mortar with liquid type waste CNT, carbon fiber and waste cathode materials is more effective compared to it of other variables.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.278-283
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• 2014

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used in various composite materials to enhance electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of composite materials. In this study, we investigate the wear characteristics of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) blends containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). PC/ABS blends are commonly used in many industrial applications such as cellular phones and display cases and MWCNTs have been added to the PC/ABS blends to improve their electromagnetic interference shielding (EMS). We performed wear tests on PC/ABS blends containing MWCNTs under reciprocating linear sliding conditions with chrome steel balls as a counterpart material. The normal loads were 10, 30, 50, 70, 100 N, the sliding speed was 10 mm/s, the stroke length was 15 mm, and the tests lasted 900 s. The MWCNTs included in the PC/ABS blends lower the wear volume and friction coefficient of the composites. We analyzed the wear debris collected from the composites during the tests in terms of the MWCNT concentration using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The results show that the quantity of MWCNTs in the debris is proportional to the concentration of MWCNTs in the composite, indicating that the exposure of the MWCNTs to environments by wear could be increased with their concentration in the composite.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.727-730
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• 2015

In this paper, we fabricated organic compounds detector using the MWCNT/PMMA (multi-walled carbon nanotube / polymethylmethacrylate) composite film. We used polymer film as a matrix material for the device framework, and introduced CNTs for reacting with the organic compounds resulting in changing electrical conductivity. Spray coating method was used to form the MWCNT/PMMA composite film detector, and pattern formation of the detector was done by shadow mask during the spray coating process. We investigated changes of electrical conductivity of the detector before and after the organic compounds exposure. Electrical conductivity of the detector tended to decrease after the exposure with various organic compounds such as acetone, tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, and dimethylformamide (DMF). Finally we conclude that organic compounds detection by the MWCNT/PMMA composite film detector was possible, and expect the feasibility of commercial MWCNT/PMMA composite film detector for various organic compounds.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.639-639
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• 2013

In this research we report the significant contribution of the as-spun multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the x-ray images formation using a low tube voltage x-ray source. The MWCNT, which was used for the fabrication of the spun CNT, was grown using a microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition machine. Electrical-optics simulation software was utilized to determine the electron field emission trajectory of the triode-structure-as-spun CNT-based x-ray source. It was shown that a significant amount of converging electrons hit the target anode producing a clear x-ray image. These x-ray images where produced at a small amount of anode current of 0.67 mA at a tube voltage of 5 kV with the gate voltage of 0 V. Also, comparisons of the radiographs at various exposure times of the sample where analyzed with and without an x-ray dose filter. Results showed that spatially-resolved images were formed using the as-spun CNT at a low tube voltage with a $54-{\mu}m$ Al x-ray filter. This study can be used for low-voltage medical applications.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2011.05b
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• pp.836-839
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• 2011

염료감응형 태양전지의 상대전극으로 MWCNT(multi-walled carbon nanotube)의 농도 (0.01~0.06g)를 달리하여 FTO(fluorine-doped tin oxide) glass에 분산시켜 상대전극을 만들었다. 그리고 glass/FTO/$TiO_2$/Dye(N719)/electrolyte(C6DMII,GSCN)/MWCNT/FTO/glass 구조를 가진 0.45$cm^2$급 DSSC(dye-sensitized solar cells) 소자를 만들었다. 소자의 미세구조, 분산정도, 광특성은 각각 광학현미경, SEM, source measure unit (Keithley model 2400) 장비를 이용하여 확인하였다. MWCNT 농도 증가와 FTO의 거친 표면형상에 따라 비선형적으로 MWCNT 분산면적이 증가하였고, MWCNT 농도 0.06g일 때 FTO 표면에 전체적으로 MWCNT가 완전히 분산됨을 확인하였다. 소자의 광변환 효율은 MWCNT 분산면적에 비례하는 효율을 보였고, MWCNT 분산농도인 0.06g 일 때 4.49%의 광변환 효율을 얻을 수 있었다.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.66.2-66.2
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• 2011

A polymer-based multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) field emission device was fabricated from a composite dispersion of MWCNTs and waterborne polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The waterborne PMMA synthesized through the emulsion polymerization method was added to minimize the reagglomeration of dispersed MWCNTs with surfactants in water, and increase the adhesion between the and the substrate. The field emission properties of the fabricated device were optimized by adjusting the density of the emitter and the adhesion between the MWCNTs and the substrate. These were done by controlling the polymer concentration added to the MWCNT dispersion, as well as the amount of spray coating on the substrate. The results confirm the successful fabrication of a polymer-based MWCNT field emission device with a low field of 1.07 $V/{\mu}m$ and a good electric field enhancement factor of 2445. The device was fabricated by adding 0.8 mg/mL of polymer solution to the MWCNT dispersion and applying 20 cycles of spray coating. Application of this same MWCNT/polymer composite solution to a flexible polymer substrate also resulted in the successful fabrication of an electric field emission device with uniform emission and long time stability.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2010

Sulfur cathodes were prepared by ball milling method with different types of electronic conductors and binders in different ball milling time. The sulfur cell with a cathode prepared in 45 min ball milling time gave an initial discharge capacity of 794mAh/g with Super-P as an electronic conductor and poly(vinylidene fluoride) as a binder. The cathode with multi-walled carbon nanotube as an electronic conductor showed an initial discharge capacity of 944 mAh/g and a discharge capacity of 300 mAh/g after 20 cycles. Cathodes with poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) as binders showed different cycle performance.