Carbon nanotubes can be functionalized to attain desired properties that can be used in a wide variety of applications. The two main methods of carbon nanotube functionalization are covalent and non-covalent modifications. Because of their apparent hydrophobic nature, carbon nanotubes tend to agglomerate hindering their dispersion in solvents or viscous polymer melts. The resulting nanotube bundles or aggregates reduce the mechanical performance of the final composite. The surface of the carbon nanotubes can be modified to reduce the hydrophobicity and improve interfacial adhesion to a bulk polymer through chemical attachment.
carbon nanotubes can be functionalized to attain desired properties that can be used in a wide variety of applications the two main methods of carbon nanotube functionalization are covalent and non-covalent modifications because of their apparent hydrophobic nature carbon nanotubes tend to agglomerate hindering their dispersion in solvents or viscous polymer melts the resulting nanotube bundles or aggregates reduce the mechanical performance of the final composite the surface of the carbon nanotubes can be modified to reduce the hydrophobicity and improve interfacial adhesion to a bulk polymer through chemical attachment