Use of X-ray microtomography to study the homogeneity of carbon nanotube aqueous suspensions and carbon nanotube/polymer composites

X-ray microtomography was used to study the stability and homogeneity of concentrated carbon nanotube (CNT) aqueous suspensions and CNT/resorcinol–formaldehyde gel composites. Various CNT distribution states were achieved by modifying the CNT concentration, sonication time and resting time. X-ray microtomography is able to discriminate between zones with different CNT concentration levels and can be used as a non-destructive and fast tool to characterize the homogeneity of suspensions and composite systems at the micron scale.