In this work, we investigate the suitability of Electrospinning as a manufacturing technique to produce CNT-polymer
composites with a response to light. This objective is explored by way of developing a precursor solution comprised of a
polymeric blend, suitable of CNT dispersion and further electrospinning. The MWCNTs were dispersed using Sodium
dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and added to a polymeric solution consisting of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Dimethylformamide (DMF). The dispersion of the
CNTs during synthesis was studied using UV-VIs and XRD techniques. Fibers electrospun out of this precursor and
their response to irradiation will also be discussed. Fiber morphology was characterized by SEM and the response to
irradiation was examined by photoelectric conductivity.
Electrospun polymer-MWCNTs fibers were prepared using a precursor solution that consists of multiwall carbon
nanotubes (MWCNTs), Poly(dymethylsiloxane) and Poly(methylmethacrylate) in Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and
Dimethylformamide (DMF). Before adding them into the precursor, the MWCNTs were dispersed in Sodium Dodecyl
Sulfate (SDS) and water. We report evidence of UV photo-conduction and photo-actuation in electrospun
PDMS/PMMA-CNT composite fibers.
Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites fabricated in the form of fibers with large surface areas were used
in the development of important technological applications such as photoactuators. MWCNT-polymer fibers can be
prepared with the simple and fast technique of electrospinning. The precursor for electrospinning was prepared by
adding dispersed MWCNTs to a polymeric solution of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and Poly(methylmethacrylate) dissolved
in Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Dimethylformamide (DMF). The dispersion of the carbon nanotubes in Sodium Dodecyl
Sulfate (SDS)/water is expected to enhance the photoactuation properties of the Polymer CNT Composites. The
dispersion of the MWCNTS in SDS and the properties of the precursor solution were analyzed using Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques.
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