On the fate of carbon nanotubes: Morphological characterisations

Single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs and MWNTs) were characterised as-produced, after exfoliation and purification, and imbedded in the polymer matrix of nanocomposites by using various microscopic techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows thickness distribution as well as catalyst presence of as-produced carbon nanotubes (CNTs); scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are helpful tools to better understand the influence of post-treatment during exfoliation and purification, e.g. on the length distribution of CNTs; and finally SEM operated in charge contrast mode offers the potential to monitor the organisation of CNT networks in the polymer matrix of conductive nanocomposites.