Carbon nanotubes inclusion properties

The recognition of the unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has stimulated a huge interest in their use as advanced filler in composite materials. In particular, their superior mechanical, thermal and electrical properties are expected to provide much higher property improvement than other nanofillers (18-22). For example, as conductive inclusions in polymeric matrices, CNTs shift the percolation threshold to much lower loading values than traditional carbon black particles. 

In this section, consideration will be given to research in which conducting polymers have been combined with other materials to create a composite with improved actuation properties. This might involve the incorporation of a stiffer material (e.g. carbon nanotubes) to improve the stresses produced, or the inclusion of a gel to increase the amount of strain generated, albeit in a weaker actuator. 

The value of such substrates cannot be evaluated without their inclusion into sample preparation. In our case, we tested them by preparing a sample with attached carbon nanotubes. If their morphology has to be evaluated, we have to use flat surfaces, which do not temper their actual properties, measured on the nanoscale. In our study, the substrates and samples were evaluated using two different t5rpes of microscopy, namely the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and AFM. Figure 9 shows the improvement from not annealed to annealed surface with attached test molecules. 

Breuer O, Uttandaraman S (2004) Big returns from small fibers a review of polymer/carbon nanotube composites. Polym Compos 25(6) 630-645 Brigitte V, Alain P, Claude C, Cedric S, Rene P, Catherine J, Patrick B, Philippe P (20(X)) Macroscopic fibers and ribbons of oriented carbon nanoUibes. Science 290(5495) 1331-1334 Cadambi RM, Ghassemieh E (2012) Optimized process for the inclusion of carbon nanotubes in elastomers with improved thermal and mechanical properties. J Appl Polym Sci 124(6) 4993-5001... 

Cadambi RM, Ghassemieh E (2011) Optimized process for the inclusion of carbon nanotubes in elastomers with improved thermal and mechanical properties. J Appl Polym Sci 124 4993-5001... 

Engineering polymers can be reinforced by the inclusion in their formulations of glass fibres, carbon fibres and nanotubes which produce appreciable improvements in mechanical and thermal properties. 

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