SWCNT single-walled carbon dispersed

It is well known that the percolation threshold is strongly dependent on the aspect ratio. One-dimensional (ID) nanostructures, such as nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoribbons, have geometries that are favorable for the maintenance of connectivity at low content of active materials. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a good representative example. Electrical percolation can be achieved in polymer composites with well-dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) at levels as low as 0.03 wt% [69]. Recently, it has been reported that the formation of semiconducting nanofibers facilitates percolation in semiconducting/insulating polymer blends. 

Novel surfactants (41) that could be used for the separation of metallic and semi-conducting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been reported by Tanaka and co-workers. These surfactants had relatively low dispersibilities due to their common structural features, i.e., straight alkyl tails and charged head groups. ... 

It is has been demonstrated that the addition of small quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can dramatically improve the thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. " In many cases, however, this enhancement of properties is limited by the degree to which the CNTs can be dispersed uniformly within the polymer matrix. This appears to be particularly true for flame-retarding applications. For example, Kashiwagi and co-workers demonstrated that the heat release rates from burning well-dispersed nanocomposites consisting of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) in poly (methyl methacrylate) were significantly lower than... 

---