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The Effect of Nanotube Loading and Dispersion on the Three-Dimensional Nanostructure of Carbon Nanotube-Conducting Polymer Composite Films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2011

Mark Hughes
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
George Z. Chen
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
Milo S. P. Shaffer
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
Derek J. Fray
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
Alan H. Windle
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
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Abstract

Nanoporous composite films of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and either polypyrrole (PPy) or poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MeT) were grown using an electrochemical polymerization technique in which the nanotubes and conducting polymer were deposited simultaneously. The concentration and dispersion of MWNTs in the polymerization electrolyte was found to have a significant effect on the thickness of polymer coated on each MWNT and hence the loading of MWNTs in the films produced. It has been shown that for an increasing concentration of MWNTs in the polymerization electrolyte, the thickness of polymer coated on each MWNT decreases. This relationship made it possible to minimize ionic diffusion distances within the nanoporous MWNT-PPy films produced, reducing their electrical and ionic resistance and increasing their capacitance relative to similarly prepared pure PPy films.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2003

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References

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