Films, buckypapers and fibers from clay, chitosan and carbon nanotubes

Authors

Thomas M. Higgins, University of WollongongFollow
Holly Warren, University of WollongongFollow
Marc in het Panhuis, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

36210

Publication Details

Higgins, T., Warren, H. & in het Panhuis, M. (2011). Films, Buckypapers and Fibers from Clay, Chitosan and Carbon Nanotubes. Nanomaterials, 1 (1), 3-19.

Abstract

The mechanical and electrical characteristics of films, buckypapers and fiber materials from combinations of clay, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and chitosan are described. The rheological time-dependent characteristics of clay are maintained in clay–carbon nanotube–chitosan composite dispersions. It is demonstrated that the addition of chitosan improves their mechanical characteristics, but decreases electrical conductivity by three-orders of magnitude compared to clay–CNT materials. We show that the electrical response upon exposure to humid atmosphere is influenced by clay-chitosan interactions, i.e., the resistance of clay–CNT materials decreases, whereas that of clay–CNT–chitosan increases.