2006/02/07 by Yinshi Huang, Huang, Y. Y., S. V. Ahir +3
Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Carbon Nanotubes in Composites #FOS: Physical sciences #Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Liquid Crystal Research Advancements #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/0602187
openalex publication_date 2006/02/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We report on rheological properties of a dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a viscous polymer matrix. Particular attention is paid to the process of nanotubes mixing and dispersion, which we monitor by the rheological signature of the composite. The response of the composite as a function of the dispersion mixing time and conditions indicates that a critical mixing time t* needs to be exceeded to achieve satisfactory dispersion of aggregates, this time being a function of nanotube concentration and the mixing shear stress. At shorter times of shear mixing, tt*, has several universal rheological features; at nanotube concentration above a characteristic value ~2-3wt% the effective elastic gel network is formed, while the low-concentration composite remains a viscous liquid. We use this rheological approach to determine the effects of aging and re-aggregation.