Influence of AC Electric Field on Macroscopic Network of Carbon Nanotubes in Polystyrene

CVD‐grown multiwall carbon nanotubes are dispersed in styrene monomer. During the polymerization of styrene, an AC electric field is applied to induce the CNTs to align along the electric field line to form a macroscopic nanotube network in polystyrene matrix. The dielectrophoresis force and the electric field redistribution at the CNTs apexes are responsible for alignment of the CNTs as well as bonding between the CNTs. Parameters such as field strength and nanotube weight fraction are varied. The results indicate that the macroscopic CNTs alignment along electric field direction can be observed only if the AC voltage reaches or is higher than certain values, and the higher the electric field frequency is, the more uniformly the CNTs align along electric field direction. In addition, nanotube concentration also affects the alignment of CNTs. According to the results of this study, the CNTs will align into a developed network in polystyrene matrix under a proper combination of three parameters of the electric field voltage, frequency, and the CNTs concentration.

Keywords:

• Carbon nanotubes
• styrene
• electric field
• composites

Acknowledgments

The project was sponsored by the Foundation of National Natural Science, P. R. China (Grant No. 10332020) and the Innovation Fund for Outstanding Scholar of Henan Province, P. R. China (Grant No. 0521001000).