Fabrication and characterization of polycarbonate/carbon nanotubes composites

Polycarbonate composites containing carbon nanotubes can be prepared through a method combined solution mixing and precipitation together. The surface chemical state of the purified carbon nanotubes was studied through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the state of carbon nanotubes in the composites through transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that some polar functional groups such as C-O, C=O and O-C=O were present on the surface of the purified carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanotubes coated with polycarbonate layers were well dispersed through the polycarbonate matrix. Ultrasound is supposed to play an important role in the uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes into the polycarbonate solution and the formation of the composites. The preparing method is regarded as an easy way of producing polymer based nanocomposites on a large scale. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.