i want to use 3 % 5 % 7 % of CNT with PDMS composite but for despersion i used chloroform and i dont know how much chlorofrom should be used for dispersion. as it can decrease the viscosity of PDMS. and finally wt % of CNT or CNT-chloroform Solution ?
Hi, i think if you are using solution casting technique, there is no issue of viscosity decreasing because the chloroform will eventually be evaporated. If solution casting, then you need to know the initial concentration (e.g. 100mg/ml) that you want. Then for the 3% CNT, calculate 3%x100mg/ml to give you 3mg of CNT for every ml of chloroform and the remaining 97mg PDMS in every ml of chloroform. So if you decide to use 100ml of chloroform, then get 3mg CNT dissolve in 50ml of chloroform and 97mg of PDMS in 50ml of Chloroform separately and then admix the 2 solutions with stirring for homogeinity purposes.
You can try TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis) to find out the content of CNTs in the nanocomposite. We followed this method to find out the exact content of metal nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposites. Run the TGA for both the matrix and the composite under identical conditions (in nitrogen atmosphere). Identify the residue weight of the matrix and the composite and the difference in weight gives the amount of nanofiller. This is an easy method and often provides accurate content of nanofillers in a composite.
TGA is very tricky on PDMS/CNT composites, as the siloxane leaves a lot of residue, as the SiO backbone does not degrade. You will get better results using Air and running to higher temperatures and degrading the CNT - under a long isothermal 30 mins. Any mass loss taking place above 700 ºC should be carbon.
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