Dispersion and Morphological studies of Single-walled carbon nanotubes using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate as a Surfactant

The sonication-driven dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in aqueous surfactant (SDS) solution has been monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dispersion of SWCNTs experiments revealed that the Sonication time and dilution factor of dispersed SWCNTs affect the UV-visible absorbance of the solution. With optimal surfactant concentration, the dispersion rate of SWCNTs increased, and low-temperature (24°C) sonication was required to achieve maximum dispersion. Dispersion of higher SWCNT concentrations requires longer sonication time. Morphological surface study of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) solution gives the result of surface orientation analyzed by DEKTAK surface profiler, whether SWCNTs are uniformly orientated on the surface and also homogeneously dispersed into the solution or not.