Evaluating the orientation and dispersion of carbon nanotubes inside nanocomposites by a focused-ion-beam technique

Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) nanocomposites were fabricated to characterize and understand the orientation and dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a polymer matrix. A focused-ion-beam (FIB) technique was used for milling the nanocomposite by a focused gallium ion beam, and the MWNTs were carefully observed. The PEEK preferentially disappeared when the Ga+ ion beam milled the composite, and MWNTs were exposed on the surface of composites. Using this method, it is very easy to estimate and directly evaluate the orientation of the MWNTs in the polymer matrix even though they are embedded in the polymer matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to characterize the detailed position of the nanotubes in the PEEK matrix. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.