在过去的十年中,单壁碳纳米管(SWCNT)的有效分散一直是广泛研究的主题。尽管做出了这些努力,在高浓度下实现单独分散的SWCNT仍然具有挑战性。在这项研究中,我们解决了与传统方法相关的局限性,如缺陷形成,过度使用表面活性剂,和腐蚀性溶剂的使用。我们的新型分散方法利用SWCNT在通过将钾溶解在六甲基磷酰胺(HMPA)中而产生的溶剂化电子系统中的自发充电。所得的带电SWCNT(c-SWCNT)可以仅使用磁力搅拌直接分散在带电介质中,导致无缺陷的c-SWCNT分散体的高浓度高达20mg/mL。单个c-SWCNT链的成功分散通过它们的液晶行为得到证实。重要的是,c-SWCNT的分散介质与金属没有反应性,聚合物,或其他有机溶剂。这种多功能性使广泛的应用,包括通过常规刮刀涂层生产的导电独立薄膜,湿纺纤维,膜电极,热复合材料,和核-壳混合微粒。
The efficient dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been the subject of extensive research over the past decade. Despite these efforts, achieving individually dispersed SWCNTs at high concentrations remains challenging. In this study, we address the limitations associated with conventional methods, such as defect formation, excessive surfactant use, and the use of corrosive solvents. Our novel dispersion method utilizes the spontaneous charging of SWCNTs in a solvated electron system created by dissolving potassium in hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA). The resulting charged SWCNTs (c-SWCNTs) can be directly dispersed in the charging medium using only magnetic stirring, leading to defect-free c-SWCNT dispersions with high concentrations of up to 20 mg/mL. The successful dispersion of individual c-SWCNT strands is confirmed by their liquid-crystalline behavior. Importantly, the dispersion medium for c-SWCNTs exhibits no reactivity with metals, polymers, or other organic solvents. This versatility enables a wide range of applications, including electrically conductive free-standing films produced via conventional blade coating, wet-spun fibers, membrane electrodes, thermal composites, and core-shell hybrid microparticles.