Improvement on the tensile performance of buckypaper using a novel dispersant and functionalized carbon nanotubes

High tensile performance buckypapers (Bps) were prepared by commercially functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with the aid of a novel dispersant, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The tensile strength and modulus of PVP-BP are 227% and 295% higher than those of Triton X-100-BP, due to strong interactions between MWCNT and PVP. However, superabundant PVP is unfavorable for mechanical property improvement. Functionalized BPs have enhanced tensile properties and denser nanotube skeletons than the pristine one. It demonstrates that the specific tensile strengths of BPs steadily increase with the activated carbon content of functionalized MWCNTs, whereas the specific tensile moduli are closely related to the curling degree of MWCNTs. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.