Surfactant-based dispersant for multiwall carbon nanotubes to prepare ceramic composites by a sol-gel method

A dispersant for multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is proposed that fulfils the requirements of creating a uniform dispersion in the matrix and obtaining a good interface between CNTs and the matrix, and is soluble in generic nonpolar solvents. This dispersant is based on a long chain surfactant, called in this work dabcosil stearate, containing a stearate-based 18-carbon alkyl chain as an anion, and a silsesquioxane containing a bridged, positively charged 1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane group. It provides not only a very good dispersion medium for the MWCNTs, but also a very good interface between MWCNTs and ceramic matrices, such as alumina and zirconia, prepared by the sol-gel method.