A simple and fast method to disperse long single-walled carbon nanotubes introducing few defects Original Research Article

A simple and fast dispersion method that incorporates heating is used to disperse long (more than 10 μm) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with minimal defects. The method enables a dispersed solution of SWCNTs to be produced in less than 10 min in only three steps: (1) addition of the dispersant, (2) heating, and (3) grinding. The dispersion method does not require sonication, which shortens the SWCNTs and can generate surface defects. SWCNT films were prepared from the dispersed solution, and the films exhibited a resistance of 380 Ω/sq at a transparency of 64.8%. This dispersion method can be easily scaled up, making it useful for the preparation of dispersed SWCNTs for commercial and industrial applications.