Use of dynamic rheological behavior to estimate the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in carbon nanotube/polymer composites.

Well-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/polystyrene composites have been prepared. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were employed to observe the distribution of the MWNTs in the composites in a microscopic scale, indicating a nanotube network formed in the matrix. The dispersion of the nanotubes in the polymer was monitored by oscillatory rheology. It was found that the addition of MWNTs in the polymer had a drastic influence on the rheological behavior of the composites. As the MWNT loading increased, Newtonian behavior disappeared at low frequency, suggesting a transition from liquid-like to solid-like viscoelastic behavior. A more homogeneous dispersion or a greater loading of the nanotubes in the matrix produced stronger solid-like and nonterminal behavior, and the composites exhibited less temperature dependence at elevated temperature, compared to the matrix melt.