Polymer-carbon nanotube composites

摘要

This invention relates to a composite comprising carbon nanotubes coated with a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises at least one hydrophobic monomer unit. This invention also relates to a process for the production of a composite comprising a polymer and carbon nanotubes.

主权项

1. A composite comprising carbon nanotubes coated with a polymer,
wherein the carbon nanotubes are multi-walled and have been at least partially oxidised, with the carbon nanotubes therefore having a graphene layer giving hydrophobic functionality and having negatively charged hydroxyl and carboxylic groups formed on the graphene layer giving hydrophilic functionality, wherein the polymer comprises at least one hydrophobic monomer unit, wherein the carbon nanotubes have been coated with the polymer using a co-deposition process, said co-deposition process involving the use of said hydrophobic monomer dissolved in a non-polar solvent and said carbon nanotubes dispersed in a polar solvent, and wherein the composite has two types of pores that are identified by their different sizes and formation mechanisms, with one type of pores having a pore size of ≦1 μm and being formed due to gaps or interstices between the carbon nanotubes of the composite, and the other type of pores having a pore size of >1 μm and being formed when the carbon nanotubes are coated with the polymer by the co-deposition process, wherein crater-like pores formed in such a manner can be observed on the surface of the deposited composite.