Carbon Nanotubes Dispersion, Concentration, and Amount of Ultrasound Energy Required

This article describes the possibilities and difficulties of carbon nanotube dispersion. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have become a widely used material in medicine, pharmaceuticals, elec- tronics, and also in the construction industry. Thanks to using nanoparticles, we are able to improve the properties of ordinary materials such as coatings and concrete. CNT forms bun- dles which are not easy to disperse. The literature describes several ways to disperse CNT, for example, through intense mechanical grinding (ball mill), ultrasound (US energy), use of surfactants, hydro cavitation, or a combination of the above mentioned methods. This article describes the control of dispersion by ultrasound, with observation of the dispersion level through UV/Vis spectroscopy. Thus we established the optimal parameters of the dispersion. The data was then used to prepare the suspension water, CNT, and surfactants, which were then used for the preparation of cement mortars for the test specimens. The specimens were observed for their physical mechanical characteristics.

R. HELA, Ph.D.,
L. BODNAROVA, Ph.D.,
T. JAROLIM, Ph.D.-student,
M. LABAJ, Ph.D.-student

Brno University of Technology (Faculty of Civil Engineering) (95, Veveri, Brno, 60200, Czech Republic)

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