Observations of SWNT/polymer composite

Observations were made of a gel formed into films from a mixture of an imidazolium ionic liquid and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). The topographic image in Fig.1 shows SWNT unraveling from the bundled state to a web. Fig.2 shows elasticity observations of the same view field. It provides a clearer image of the CNT distribution in the gel.

Fig.3 shows a topographic image of SWNT stretching like a web in the gel. Fig.4 shows the results of simultaneous topographical and surface-potential observations on the same sample, represented as a surface-potential image. The higher potential measured along the SWNT provides clearer observations of the state of the SWNT within the gel.