Dispersion of carbon nanotubes into water without dispersant using cavitation bubble plasma

Abstract High-speed and homogeneous water-dispersion of carbon nano tubes (CNTs) with superior characteristics is a key technology for industrial applications. Liquid-phase plasma is one of good method to disperse CNTs in aqueous solution. However, the treatment speed of the liquid-phase plasma is not enough for industrial applications. In the present experiment, a novel high-speed dispersion device using cavitation bubble plasma (CBP) was developed. In this method the plasma was generated efficiently in bubbles in water. The cup-stacked CNTs were uniformly dispersed in ion-exchange water by the CBP treatment without dispersant. A liter of CNTs suspension with 9.2 wt% in concentration can be treated with the CBP processing of 135 min.