Electrical Conductivity Enhancement by Dispersion and Functionalization of SWNT Slurries through Mechanical Pot Milling

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have promising electronic, mechanical and thermal properties due to their unique structures and bonding. In this paper, we report the attempts to disperse SWNTs into nanoscale ceramics such as Si 3 N 4 and ZrO 2 through the use of the chemical surfactant carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and through mechanical pot milling. The results of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that SWNT are dispersed and partially exfoliated after pot milling. Raman spectroscopy of the slurriesdo not indicate any chemical functionalizationoccurred on SWNTs. A decrease in the electrical resistances of these ceramic matrix composite slurrieswas observed, 10% for Si 3 N 4 based slurryand 35% for ZrO 2 based slurry. This work may open the new way to increase the electrical conductivity of nanotube related fluids.