Carbon nanotube dispersion in Setathane 1150

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This project aims to investigate the necessary polymer properties that would allow for dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) within a castor-oil based polyol solvent, commercially sold as Setathane 1150. The use of this solvent is of interest to a customer of the company Inortech Chemie, located in Terrebonne, Quebec, as it is used in numerous coatings applications. To achieve the required dispersions, we will study the supramolecular interactions of commercial SWNTs with highly soluble derivatives of polythiophene, polyfluorene, and polycarbazole polymers that are specifically modified to impart solubility in alcohol-based solvents. We will also investigate the ability of the polymers to selectively interact with SWNTs of specific type, in an attempt to improve the purity of the dispersed materials. We will also determine the maximum concentration that can be dispersed in Setathane 1150 using these conjugated polymer derivatives. The studies will be carried out using thermogravimetric analysis, Raman, fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy, as well as atomic force microscopy techniques.