The quantitative characterization of the concentration and dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in suspension by spectrophotometry

摘要

Several suspensions containing different types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different dispersion states were prepared, including homogeneous solutions of MWCNT/polymer composites in an organic solvent. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra from 350 to 750 nm were measured, which showed that the absorbance agreed well with Beer's law and an apparent absorption coefficient was calculated. For mono-dispersed MWCNTs, the apparent absorption coefficient was independent of the diameter and length of the MWCNT. The coefficient can be used to determine the concentration of well-dispersed MWCNTs. For poly-dispersed MWCNTs, large dense agglomerates of MWCNTs caused an obvious decrease in the apparent absorption coefficient. A simple method for characterizing the concentration and dispersion state of MWCNTs in suspension or polymer composites quantitatively by spectrophotometry was developed.