Dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a polymer by the rapid expansion of a supercritical suspension

We report a scalable and volatile organic compound-free process for the production of well-dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a polymer by the rapid expansion of a supercritical suspension (RESS), in which CNTs had been suspended in supercritical carbon dioxide, and CO 2 and CNTs released from the suspension were rapidly vented through a nozzle. Reagglomeration of the CNTs after RESS can be prevented by premixing them with dimethyl isophthalate or poly(methyl methacrylate), which can be dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide, or by embedding the nozzle in molten poly(methyl methacrylate). [New Carbon Materials 2014, 29(5): 386–391]