Incorporation of highly dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes in a polyimide matrix

Abstract Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were dispersed in the form of individual nanotubes and small bundles, and subsequently polymerized to prepare composite films. The nanotubes were first dispersed in dimethylacetamide in the presence of 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (APB), which was then polymerized with 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidiene diphthalic anhydride (6-FDA). Optical microscopy, SEM and TEM studies of the composite show that the SWNTs are homogenously distributed in the polymer matrix, and AFM observations indicate that ∼80% of the dispersed SWNTs are stabilized as individual nanotubes. The freestanding composite films were found to have very good optical, thermal and mechanical properties as well as enhanced electrostatic charge dissipation properties.