Spectroscopic investigations on epoxy--multiwall carbon nanotubes composites

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2011 Oct;11(10):9050-6. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2011.3491.

Abstract

Room temperature electron spin resonance spectra of epoxy resins loaded with various concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes of various lengths are analyzed. The resonance spectrum near the free electron line position is dominated by a single almost symmetric line assigned to delocalized electrons residing on multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The experimental research shown that: (1) The dependence of the g-factor on nanotubes length is controlled by the distortions of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. (2) The dependence of the g-factor on the concentration of multi-walled nanotubes reflects the interactions between electrons localized on different nanotubes. In insulating composites, the resonance line width broadens as the length and the concentration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes is increased. (3) For conducting composites, the dependence of the electron spin resonance line width on the length and concentration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes is controlled by Elliott contribution and exchange interactions, respectively. (4) The concentration of conduction electrons increases as the length and the concentration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes are increased.