Oxidative treatment, dispersion effect, and simulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution

Abstract

In the present work, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by the treatment with concentrated nitric and sulfuric acid mixture (3: 1 vol/vol). The obtained material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of two surfactants, methylcellulose (MC) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on dispersing of MWCNTs in aqueous solution was monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Also, the dispersing effect of the surfactants was simulated by three-dimensional Monte Carlo method. The results showed that the oxidative treatment leads to purification of the neat MWCNTs, and directly improved their dispersing. The mixture containing both MC and CTAB surfactants has better dispersing effect than individual surfactants. The optimum concentration ratio of MC, CTAB, and MWCNTs was 2: 3: 1. In the simulation model, MWCNTs were dispersed randomly. The simulation results may be helpful for the further research on mechanical and electrical properties of composites reinforced with MWCNTs.