ZB 10 - Soft Condensed Matter (R. Holyst)

Incorporation of Carbon Nanotubes into a Lyotropic Liquid Crystal by Phase Separation in the Presence of a Hydrophilic Polymer

Author(s): Xin, Xia and Li, Hongguang and Wieczorek, Stefan A. and Szymborski, and Kalwarczyk, Ewelina and Ziebacz, Natalia and Corecka, Ewa and Pociecha, Damian and Holyst, Robert
Title: Incorporation of Carbon Nanotubes into a Lyotropic Liquid Crystal by Phase Separation in the Presence of a Hydrophilic Polymer
Abstract: Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were incorporated into lyotropic crystal (LLC) matrix formed by n-dodecyl octaoxyethene monoether at room temperature through phase separation induced by hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The quality of composite was evaluated by polarized microscopy observations small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. The results clearly indicated that SWNTs have been successfully into the LLC matrix up to a considerable high content destroying the LLC matrix, although interesting changes of the matrix were also induced by SWNTs incorporation. By varying the of PEG to C12E6, the type of LLC inatrix can be controlled from phase to lamellar phase. Temperature was found to have a influence on the quality of SWNTs/LLC composite, and tube can be induced at higher temperature. When SWNTs were to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), they became difficult be incorporated into LLC matrix because of an increase in an average tube diameter.
Pages: 3562-3568
Journal: LANGMUIR
Volume: 26
ID: ISI:000274636900086
Year: 2010
DOI: 10.1021/la902960a