Open Access

George V. Theodorakopoulos, Dionysios S. Karousos, Jan Benra, Stefan Forero, Ruben Hammerstein, Andreas A. Sapalidis, Fotios K. Katsaros, Tim Schubert, Evangelos P. Favvas

• Three different types of carbon nanomaterials, SWCNTs, MWCNTs and GNPs were prepared, modified, characterized, and their dispersibility behavior in three different solvents was evaluated. The carbon nanotubes were synthesized by using the well-known chemical vapor deposition method and the graphene nanoplatelets by wet physicochemical treatment techniques. Their characterization was accomplished by using various advanced techniques, such as powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption at 77 K. Furthermore, the carbon nanostructures were modified via plasma treatment and wet chemical surface modification in order to enhance their dispersion characteristics, for achieving more homogenous suspensions and therefore to be remained dispersed over a reasonable period of time without any sedimentation. The effect of treatment parameters and the use of different solvents were thoroughly studied mainly by optical methods, but also by using the DIN/EN classified ISO method of oil absorption and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The enhanced dispersion rate is observed in both CNTs and GNPs materials following their surface treatment, especially when using the solvent n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The aforementioned studied nanomaterials are perfect candidate fillers for preparing polymeric mixed matrix membranes.