Session C1: Poster Session I (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
2:00 PM–2:00 PM, Monday, March 15, 2010
Room: Exhibit CD
Abstract ID: BAPS.2010.MAR.C1.42
Abstract: C1.00042 : Temperature Tailored Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in Water
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Abstract 
Authors:
Krishna Etika
(Texas A\&M Univeristy)
Florian Jochum
(University of Mainz)
Patrick Theato
(University of Mainz)
Jaime Grunlan
(Texas A\&M University)
Despite their immense potential, the ability to control the dispersion and microstructure of carbon nanotubes remains a hurdle for their widespread use. Stimuli-responsive polymers show conformation changes with applied external stimulus (pH, temperature, light etc.). Temperature responsive polymers based on poly(N-cyclopropylacrylamide) [p-PNCPA], with varying amounts of pyrene functionality, were used to disperse carbon nanotubes in water. Cryo-TEM micrographs show that SWNTs stabilized using p-PNCPA exists in an exfoliated and bundled state below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymer, respectively. Viscosity measurements on SWNT/p-PNCPA aqueous suspensions show a shear thinning and nearly Newtonian behavior at temperatures below and above LCST of the polymer, respectively. Studies performed on the SWNT/p-PNCPA composites suggests that microstructure of SWNTs in the suspensions is preserved in the solid composite, as evidenced by SEM imaging and electrical conductivity measurements.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.MAR.C1.42