Methyltrimethoxysilane silica aerogel composite with carboxyl-functionalised multi-wall carbon nanotubes
by Kyu-Yeon Lee; Ha-Yoon Nah; Haryeong Choi; Vinayak G. Parale; Hyung-Ho Park
International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT), Vol. 15, No. 6/7, 2018

Abstract: To complement the low mechanical strength of pristine methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) silica aerogels, a composite silica aerogel with structurally strong multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was synthesised by supercritical drying. The surface structure of stable MWCNTs was oxidised and defected by acid treatment to attach carboxyl groups, which result in good dispersibility of the MWCNTs. By a sol-gel process, functionalised MWCNTs formed a network structure with the MTMS silica sol. Through the compositisation of the MTMS silica aerogel with functionalised MWCNTs, the mechanical strength of the composite aerogel became higher than that of the pristine MTMS silica aerogel; changes in the surface characteristics, chemical bonding state, and microstructure were also observed. The aerogels exhibit hydrophobicity except at the functionalised MWCNTs, which impart hydrophilicity due to polar functional groups. Chemical bonding, including carbonyl and carboxyl bonds, was also observed following functionalisation. Some fibre structures of MWCNTs and pore characteristics in composites were observed.

Online publication date: Mon, 26-Nov-2018

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com