Physicochemical analysis of the structure and properties of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites obtained from solution

To describe the viscosity of aqueous suspensions of carbon nanotubes, a structural (fractal) model was used, which was previously used for polymer solutions. This model adequately interprets the dependence of the suspension viscosity on the concentration of carbon nanotubes. When the percolation threshold for this nanofiller is reached, a sharp increase in the viscosity of aqueous suspensions is observed. The model also adequately reflects the dependence of viscosity on the geometry of carbon nanotubes. Knowledge of the nanofiller structure, characterized by its fractal dimension, allows predicting the degree of reinforcement of solid-phase polymer nanocomposites.