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Make Carbon nanotube-polymer composite thin: application to water quality
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 July 2011
Abstract
This paper reviews our works about the development of thin composite film based on aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) forest, embedded in epoxy or PMMA polymer matrix, in order to fabricate membranes dedicated to water purification issue. Indeed, the small internal radius of nanotubes, the smoothness of their inner core and the hydrophobic properties of its interna surface induce remarkable flowing properties for water molecules. In this article, thinnin technology process is investigated to obtain composite film with opened CNT. Different etching techniques as grinding, Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) and isotropic plasma O2ar investigated in term of etching rate and membrane roughness, using AFM and SEM characterizations. Results show CMP process in lapping configuration permits to obtain agreement between high etching rate and membrane roughness. Moreover, to improve water flowing through membrane, O2plasma treatment is used to remove polymer residue spread over CNT. Joint use of lapping and plasma treatment permits to obtain 35μm-thick nanoporous membrane with well-opened protruding nanotubes.
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- Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011
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