Dear all,
I have prepared ultra-soft PDMS CNT-CB nanocomposite with Young's modulus of around 2kPa.
The total carbon filler dopped in PDMS matrix is 0.3%. However, when I took SEM image of cross-section (prepared by breaking in liquid nitrogen), I could not see the proper features of CNTs in it. Can anyone suggest a better way to prepare the sample or any other method for surface morphology? I am attaching the images for reference. The length of CNT is 2 um and diameter is around 20 nm and the size of CB ranges in 500 nm to 5 um.
Farha,
you choose a microscope based on the size scale you want to observe.
In most cases of CNT based nancomposites, TEM can be used to visualize the aggregation or dispersion of CNTs in polymer matrices.
In your case, you have hybrid fillers and from the size ranges you may observe a backscattering image showing the aggregation of CB and CNTs in SEM. You could go higher magnification i.e. at a scale of 100 nm. But CB and CNT would be difficult to distinguish.
Use TEM.
What method did you use for this process? While using CNT in matrices you should have a particular method of dispersion of the CNT with the material. Some people use ultrasonication for proper dispersion and dry it using a rotary evaporator. And also from Image I think you should increase your magnitude of SEM to nearly 10nm to 100nm to see the binding and carbon structure
The absorption and dispersion of CNT is probability low. What method is used for this process?
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