Rheology of Carbon Nanotube Networks During Gelation

We report measurements of gelling rigid rod networks composed of a semidilute dispersion of surfactant-stabilized carbon nanotubes. Microrheology is employed to follow the rheological evolution of the suspension from a semidilute solution of unbonded tubes to a bonded gel network with finite yield s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inMacromolecules Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 2048 - 2053
Main Authors Chen, D. T. N, Chen, K, Hough, L. A, Islam, M. F, Yodh, A. G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington, DC American Chemical Society 23.02.2010
Subjects
Applied sciences
Compounding ingredients
Exact sciences and technology
Fillers and reinforcing agents
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Technology of polymers
Viscoelasticity
Singlewalled nanotube
Gelation
Physical gel
Carbon nanotubes
Hydrogel
Experimental study
Filler
Modeling
Time variation
Aqueous dispersion
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:We report measurements of gelling rigid rod networks composed of a semidilute dispersion of surfactant-stabilized carbon nanotubes. Microrheology is employed to follow the rheological evolution of the suspension from a semidilute solution of unbonded tubes to a bonded gel network with finite yield stress. The rheological data at various time intervals during gelation is readily collapsed onto a single time-cure superposition master curve. A theoretical model based on the crossing probability of rods confined to finite volumes is developed to account for network elasticity. Model predictions compare well with computer simulation and experiments as a function of nanotube volume fraction and cure time.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma902230a