Small-Angle Neutron Scattering from Surfactant-Assisted Aqueous Dispersions of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The mechanism of surfactant-assisted dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in water is studied by small-angle neutron scattering. The previously hypothesized formation of cylindrical micelles with the nanotubes forming the core of cylinders is inconsistent with the data presented. The scattering data favor a random structureless adsorption model for the dispersion of the nanotubes.