Water-dispersible carbon nanotubes from a mixture of an ethoxy-modified trisiloxane and pluronic block copolymer F127

The ability of a mixture of an ethoxy-modified trisiloxane (a silicone surfactant, named Ag-64) and a block copolymer F127 to disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was investigated by experimental investigation and molecular dynamics simulation. Dispersions with large amounts of individual CNTs were obtained. The quantity of dispersed CNTs was obviously larger than each quantity of the dispersions with individual surfactants at the same concentration, even exceeded the sum of them. The mechanism of dispersing CNTs was also discussed. It can be inferred that Ag-64 and few F127 could wrap onto the surface of CNTs to dispart clusters to individuals, and the other F127 interact with adsorbed Ag-64 and F127 to generate stronger steric stabilization. Thus, a synergistic effect on dispersing CNTs by the mixture of Ag-64 and F127 was observed.