Carbon Nanotube Hybrids and Their Polymer Nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess a number of outstanding properties, which leads to their use in an extensive number of application areas. In order to take full advantage of their properties in nanocomposite applications, homogeneous dispersion of the CNT is crucial but is often difficult to achieve. Growing CNT onto a substrate, also known as a CNT hybrid, is one of the alternative methods that can potentially control and improve the degree of CNT dispersion in matrices. Using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the morphology and the location of the CNTs on the substrate can be precisely set. This chapter presents studies performed to synthesize CNTs on substrates before incorporating them into polymer matrices. Rheological assessment of the epoxy suspension containing these hybrids is also reported in detail. The performance of CNT hybrids in the epoxy matrices in terms of mechanical and thermal conductivity properties is also presented, with special emphasis on electrical properties.