Soy Protein-Assisted Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in a Polymer Matrix

作者：Ji Jian ying; Lively Brooks; Zhong Wei Hong^*

来源：Materials Express, 2012, 2(1): 76-82.

DOI：10.1166/mex.2012.1055

• Soy Protein
• Carbon Nanotubes
• Dispersion
• Nanocomposite
• Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)

Facile methods for carbon nanotube (CNT) treatment are highly desired for improving dispersion of CNTs in polymer matrices, in particular, an environmentally benign treatment approach. In this study, soy protein isolate (SPI), an abundant renewable soy product, was used to treat CNTs. The significant improvement in dispersion of CNTs in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix was not only indicated by different types of microscopy, but also our newly developed quantitative evaluation approach provided agglomerate size distribution evidence showing the dramatically reduced agglomerates. Additionally, the different size of CNT agglomerates resulted in dramatic differences in conductivity and dielectric constants of the nanocomposites.

• 出版日期2012-3