Transmission of terahertz radiation by anisotropic MWCNT/polystyrene composite films

• Published in: Physica Status Solidi (b) Vol. 248; no. 11; pp. 2568 - 2571
• Main Authors: Okotrub, A. V., Kubarev, V. V., Kanygin, M. A., Sedelnikova, O. V., Bulusheva, L. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.11.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Anisotropy; carbon nanotubes; Electric fields; Forges; Fragments; Free electron lasers; polymer composite; Polystyrene resins; terahertz radiation; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 0370-1972; 1521-3951; 1521-3951
• DOI: 10.1002/pssb.201100128

Anisotropic composite materials have been prepared by repeated forge rolling of polystyrene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with length of ∼65 µm. Transmission spectra of the composites were recorded for two different polarizations of the electric field. Obtained data indicated that the forge rolling resulted in a predominant orientation of CNTs in polymer matrix. Anisotropic response of the composites was measured at 130 µm wavelength on the Novosibirsk terahertz free electron laser and angular dependence of the transmitted light was determined. Absorption spectrum showed no strong resonance features and it was interpreted by CNTs breaking and agglomeration of CNT fragments during the composite fabrication procedure. Based on classical theory of scattering, considered the scatters as electromagnetic antennas, the size distribution of CNTs in composites was found. Anisotropy of terahertz radiation transmitted from MWCNT/polystyrene composite film on the Novosibirsk free electron laser at 130 µm wavelength.