Structure and Interfacial Interactions of Aqueous Carbon Nanotube Films

Using the Surface Forces Apparatus, we are studying various interfacial phenomena in aqueous carbon nanotube (CNT) films. The CNTs were stabilized by physisorbed surfactant, and experiments were performed on both single-walled and multi-walled nanotubes. Both the normal and frictional forces between mica surfaces across CNT solution have been measured, showing weak particle-particle and particle-surface interactions. In addition, solvent evaporation from capillary held CNT solutions provide a simple method to achieve large areas (mm²) of textured patterns.