Dispersing nanomaterial e.g. carbon nanotubes involves use of electrochemical process where a potential is applied between working electrode comprising the nanomaterial and counter electrode, which form part of an electrochemical cell

NOVELTY - Dispersing nanomaterial via an electrochemical process involves applying a potential between working electrode and counter electrode, where the working electrode comprises the nanomaterial and the working electrode and counter electrode form part of an electrochemical cell which further comprising an electrolyte. USE - For electrochemically dispersing nanomaterial, particularly nanotubes e.g. carbon nanotubes including single-walled (claimed) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. ADVANTAGE - The electrochemical process disperse nanomaterials effectively while avoiding causing damage to the nanomaterial and also provides a scalable, cheap and potentially continuous method for separating large quantities of nanomaterials. It also selectively disperse the nanomaterial, by controlling the conditions under which the electrochemical process is performed, it is possible to selectively disperse nanotubes having different properties. In this regard, it is possible to separate, nanotubes on the basis of their electronic characteristics, e.g. semi-conducting nanotubes from metallic nanotubes, by size or by helicity. It is possible to obtain solutions having such a high concentration of nanomaterial, without needing to use additional surfactants, surface modifiers, chemical functionalization or protonation. This purity allows for the dispersion of a large quantity of nanomaterial through a single simple process which can be easily controlled. Secondly, it makes it straightforward to monitor for the end point of the process because it will be marked by the required degree of dissolution of the working electrode. Thirdly, the system is maintained free of unwanted additional contaminants.