Characterization of Carbon Nanomaterials Dispersions: Can Metal Decoration of MWCNTs Improve Their Physicochemical Properties?

Abstract

A suitable dispersion of carbon materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) in an appropriate dispersant media, is a prerequisite for many technological applications (e.g., additive purposes, functionalization, mechanical reinforced materials for electrolytes and electrodes for energy storage applications, etc.). Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have been considered as a promising “green” alternative, providing a versatile replacement to volatile organic solvents due to their unique physical-chemical properties, being recognized as low-volatility fluids with great dispersant ability. The present work aims to contribute to appraise the effect of the presence of MWCNTs and Ag-functionalized MWCNTs on the physicochemical properties (viscosity, density, conductivity, surface tension and refractive index) of glyceline (choline chloride and glycerol, 1:2), a Type III DES. To benefit from possible synergetic effects, AgMWCNTs were prepared through pulse reverse electrodeposition of Ag nanoparticles into MWCNTs. Pristine MWCNTs were used as reference material and water as reference dispersant media for comparison purposes. The effect of temperature (20 to 60 °C) and concentration on the physicochemical properties of the carbon dispersions (0.2–1.0 mg cm−3) were assessed. In all assessed physicochemical properties, AgMWCNTs outperformed pristine MWCNTs dispersions. A paradoxical effect was found in the viscosity trend in glyceline media, in which a marked decrease in the viscosity was found for the MWCNTs and AgMWCNTs materials at lower temperatures. All physicochemical parameters were statistically analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), at a 5% level of significance.

Hydrogen Bond Donors Influence on the Electrochemical Performance of Composite Graphene Electrodes/Deep Eutectic Solvents Interface

“…According to Table 2, with increasing temperature there is a decrease in viscosity and consequently an increase in the ionic conductivity, which is in agreement with several papers already published [41][42][43][44][45][46]. Shahbaz et al [47] found that the type of salt and HBD along with the mole ratio of both compounds had a significant effect on increasing/decreasing the viscosity and ionic conductivity of the DES.…”

Chitins from Seafood Waste as Sustainable Porous Carbon Precursors for the Development of Eco-Friendly Supercapacitors

“…Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) present several advantages when compared to aqueous electrolytes, including better electrochemical stability, wider potential windows, less impact on the ecosystem, etc., leading to this innovative class of nonaqueous/dense ionic fluids becoming the electrolytes of choice for supercapacitors [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

Optimization of a polyvinyl butyral synthesis process based on response surface methodology and artificial neural network

“…31 Fortunately, DES also has good dispersal ability and is widely used as an efficient dispersant for the chemical synthesis of advanced nanomaterials. [32][33][34] Therefore, DES is expected to achieve a double goal of catalysis and dispersion in the synthesis of PVB. Furthermore, DES has excellent reusability performance, which is an important factor for the possibility of its use in large-scale industrial applications.…”