Self-assembly of cationic surfactants on the carbon nanotube surface: insights from molecular dynamics simulations

Varying the rheological behavior of a micellar solution via modified microscopic structures in the presence of graphene oxide

We experimentally and numerically investigate the aggregation structure of cationic wormlike micelles in the presence of graphene oxide (GO), in connection with the change in the rheological properties of their aqueous dispersion. We first confirm that the macroscopic viscoelastic properties under oscillatory shear vary non-monotonically with the addition of GO flakes. We then carried out three distinct experiments-small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements, time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) measurements, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations-to elucidate the structural modifications likely responsible for the rheological changes. The results of the SAXS and TD-NMR measurements suggest that surfactant molecules preferentially remain in a worm-like microparticle form when bonded to the GO surface but not completely covering the GO surface. Moreover, using MD simulations, we confirmed that the attractive interaction between negatively charged functional groups on the GO surface and cationic surfactants indeed leads to adsorption. Together with the results of the rheology measurements, the SAXS, TD-NMR, and MD simulation results suggest that GO flakes tend to form three-dimensional aggregates bridged by the wormlike micelles. Our results can be utilized to control the rheological properties of micellar solutions and provide a new paradigm for designing microscopic structures of GO.

Carbon Nanotube Wearable Sensors for Health Diagnostics

This perspective article highlights a recent surge of interest in the application of textiles containing carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors for human health monitoring. Modern life puts more and more pressure on humans, which translates into an increased number of various health disorders. Unfortunately, this effect either decreases the quality of life or shortens it prematurely. A possible solution to this problem is to employ sensors to monitor various body functions and indicate an upcoming disease likelihood at its early stage. A broad spectrum of materials is currently under investigation for this purpose, some of which already entered the market. One of the most promising materials in this field are CNTs. They are flexible and of high electrical conductivity, which can be modulated upon several forms of stimulation. The article begins with an illustration of techniques for how wearable sensors can be built from them. Then, their application potential for tracking various health parameters is presented. Finally, the article ends with a summary of this field's progress and a vision of the key directions to domesticate this concept.

Gemini surfactants as efficient dispersants of multiwalled carbon nanotubes: Interplay of molecular parameters on nanotube dispersibility and debundling

Surfactants have been widely employed to debundle, disperse and stabilize carbon nanotubes in aqueous solvents. Yet, a thorough understanding of the dispersing mechanisms at molecular level is still warranted. Herein, we investigated the influence of the molecular structure of gemini surfactants on the dispersibility of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). We used dicationic n-s-n gemini surfactants, varying n and s, the number of alkyl tail and alkyl spacer carbons, respectively; for comparisons, single-tailed surfactant homologues were also studied. Detailed curves of dispersed MWNT concentration vs. surfactant concentration were obtained through a stringently controlled experimental procedure, allowing for molecular insight. The gemini are found to be much more efficient dispersants than their single-tailed homologues, i.e. lower surfactant concentration is needed to attain the maximum dispersed MWNT concentration. In general, the spacer length has a comparatively higher influence on the dispersing efficiency than the tail length. Further, scanning electron microscopy imaging shows a sizeable degree of MWNT debundling by the gemini surfactants in the obtained dispersions. Our observations also point to an adsorption process that does not entail the formation of micelle-like aggregates on the nanotube surface, but rather coverage by individual molecules, among which the ones that seem to be able to adapt best to the nanotube surface provide the highest efficiency. These studies are relevant for the rational design and choice of optimal dispersants for carbon nanomaterials and other similarly water-insoluble materials.

Molecular dynamics simulations of simple aromatic compounds adsorption on single-walled carbon nanotubes

We have conducted MD simulations and RDG calculations to reveal the mechanisms of simple aromatic compounds adsorption on SWCNTs.

Dispersing Carbon Nanotubes with Ionic Surfactants under Controlled Conditions: Comparisons and Insight

A fundamental understanding of the mechanisms involved in the surfactant-assisted exfoliation and dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in water calls for well-controlled experimental methodologies and reliable comparative metrics. We have assessed the ability of several ionic surfactants to disperse single and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, resorting to a stringently controlled sonication-centrifugation method for the preparation of the dispersions. The CNT concentration was accurately measured for a wide range of surfactant concentration, using combined thermogravimetric analysis and UV-vis spectroscopy. The obtained dispersibility curves yield several quantitative parameters, which in turn allow for the effects of nanotube morphology and surfactant properties (aromatic rings, chain length, headgroup charge, and cmc) to be assessed and rationalized, both in terms of dispersed nanotube mass and surface area. The data also indicate that the CNT-surfactant association follows patterns that are markedly different from other equilibrium processes governed by hydrophobicity (such as micellization); in particular, the surfactant concentration needed for maximum dispersibility, c(s,max), and the number of surfactant molecules per unit CNT area at c(s,max) are shown to depend linearly on chain length. The results further suggest that the presence of micelles in the exfoliation process is not a key factor either for starting CNT dispersibility or attaining its saturation value.

Dispersion of carbon nanotubes using mixed surfactants: experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies

The ability of cationic-rich and anionic-rich mixtures of CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) for dispersing of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous media has been studied through both the experimental and molecular dynamics simulation methods. Compared to the pure CTAB and SDS, these mixtures are more effective with the lower concentrations and more individual CNTs, reflecting a synergistic effect in these mixtures. The synergistic effects observed in mixed surfactant systems are mainly due to the electrostatic attractions between surfactant heads. In addition, the surface charge related to the colloidal stability of mixed surfactant-covered nanotubes has been characterized by means of ζ-potential measurements. The results indicate that the hydrophobic interactions between surfactant tails also give rise to the higher adsorption of surfactant molecules. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to provide insight about the structure of surfactant aggregates onto nanotubes and to attempt an explanation of the experimental results. The MD simulation results indicate that the random and disordered adsorption of mixed surfactants onto carbon nanotubes may be preferred for a low surfactant concentration. Our research may provide experimental and theoretical bases for using mixed surfactants to disperse CNTs, which can open an avenue for new applications of mixed surfactants.