Colloidal poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite by heterocoagulation in aqueous media

Colloidal nanocomposite particles were prepared by heterocoagulation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersion stabilized by cationic hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and negatively charged poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate), P(St-co-BA), latex prepared by conventional emulsion polymerization in aqueous medium with the aid of a flocculant, polyaluminium chloride (PAC), at elevated temperature above the Tg of P(St-co-BA). The hybrid nanocomposite particles were prepared by a simple procedure consisting of mixing two dispersions, particle growth, and stabilization steps. The effects of the surface properties of CNTs, molecular weight of latex polymer, types of flocculants and its optimum concentration were investigated. At a well-controlled condition, the spherical or potato-like particles in the size range of 10–100 μm were achieved. After film formation of the nanocomposite particles, it was able to confirm that CNTs were uniformly distributed without agglomeration in the matrix, resulting in the percolation at a low concentration of CNTs.