Single-walled carbon nanotube silica composites obtained by an inorganic sol-gel route

In the present work we first report on a successful incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into silica matrix prepared using an inorganic sol-gel method. Through this route nonaqueous solvents are avoided and the stability of the carbon nanotubes suspensions is not affected. SWCNTs produced by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) were dispersed in deionized water using an amphilic surfactant. As a precursor for the silica matrix an inexpensive silicic acid was used. By this route SWCNTs/silica composites were produced in the form of films and pellets. Microhardness measurements and electron microscopy suggest an important interaction between SWCNTs and the silica matrix what is important from the application point of view. (c) 2007 WILEY-NCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.