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Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: Metal and Ceramic ...

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component shape [53–55, 61–63]. A stable colloid with well dispersed particles<br />

produces a dense <strong>and</strong> homogeneous powder. The interparticle colloidal forces can be<br />

manipulated by adjusting the pH or by adding a dispersant. The stability of aqueous<br />

colloidal suspension can be controlled by creating like charges of sufficient magnitude<br />

on the surfaces of ceramic particles, known as electrostatic stabilization.<br />

Alternatively, ionic polymer dispersant is added to the suspension such that<br />

polymeric chains adsorb on ceramic particle surfaces creating steric repulsion.<br />

Electrosteric stabilization that combines both ionic <strong>and</strong> polymer dispersant mechanisms<br />

is more effective for obtaining a well-dispersed suspension [64, 65].<br />

As CNTs <strong>and</strong> alumina particles show extensive agglomeration, they must disperse<br />

independently in organic suspensions. When two sols of opposite sign are mixed,<br />

mutual coagulation takes place. Under a properly selected pH range, alumina<br />

particles adsorb onto CNT surfaces through electrostatic interaction. Recently, Sun<br />

et al. fabricated alumina-CNTnanocomposites by means of colloidal processing [61].<br />

<strong>Carbon</strong> nanotubes were treated with ammonia gas at 600 C for 3 h, <strong>and</strong> then<br />

dispersed in cationic type polyethyleneamine (PEI) solution. The treated CNTs exhibit<br />

positive charge in a wide pH range on the basis of zeta potential measurement. Zeta<br />

potential is defined as the electrokinetic potential of particulate dispersions associated<br />

with the magnitude of electrical charge at the double layer of colloidal systems. It is<br />

commonly used to measure the magnitude of attraction or repulsion between<br />

dispersed particles [66]. Alumina nanoparticles (30 nm) were dispersed independently<br />

in anionic type poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) solution, yielding electronegative charges on<br />

particle surfaces. Sodium hydroxide was used to adjust the pH of suspension solution.<br />

The alumina suspension with PAA was dripped into the CNTsuspension containing<br />

PEI under sonication. The pH value was kept at 8 for the coating of alumina on CNTs.<br />

In another study, pristine CNTs were dispersed in anionic type sodium dodecyl<br />

sulfate (SDS) solution, forming electronegative charges on nanotube surfaces [62].<br />

SDS is recognized as an effective dispersing agent for CNTs [67]. Figure 5.7 shows<br />

Figure 5.7 Zeta potential as a function of pH for alumina <strong>and</strong><br />

CNTs in the presence of SDS. Reproduced with permission<br />

from [62]. Copyright Ó (2003) Elsevier.<br />

5.4 Oxide-Based Nanocompositesj141

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