Size-sorted graphene nanoplatelets are highly desired for fundamental research and technological applications of graphene. Here we show a facile approach for fabricating size-sorted graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets by a simple centrifugal method using different dispersion solvents. We found that the small-sized GO nanoplatelets were more effectively separated when dispersed in water or dimethylformamide (DMF) than in an alkali aqueous solution. After several iterations of the centrifugation, the sizes of GO in the supernatant solution were mostly several micrometers. We found that the GO area was not strongly correlated with the C-O content of the GO dispersed in water. However, the size-sorted GO nanoplatelets in DMF showed different C-O content, since DMF can reduce GO nanoplatelets during exfoliation and centrifugation processes.

We discuss the influence of few-walled carbon nanotubes (FWCNTs) treated with nitric acid and/or sulfuric acid on field emission characteristics. FWCNTs/tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) thin film field emitters were fabricated by a spray method using FWCNTs/TEOS sol one-component solution onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. After thermal curing, they were found tightly adhered to the ITO glass, and after an activation process by a taping method, numerous FWCNTs were aligned preferentially in the vertical direction. Pristine FWCNT/TEOS-based field emitters revealed higher current density, lower turn-on field, and a higher field enhancement factor than the oxidized FWCNTs-based field emitters. However, the unstable dispersion of pristine FWCNT in TEOS/N,N-dimethylformamide solution was not applicable to the field emitter fabrication using a spray method. Although the field emitter of nitric acid-treated FWCNT showed slightly lower field emission characteristics, this could be improved by the introduction of metal nanoparticles or resistive layer coating. Thus, we can conclude that our spray method using nitric acid-treated FWCNT could be useful for fabricating a field emitter and offers several advantages compared to previously reported techniques such as chemical vapor deposition and screen printing.

We present the effect of a coupling agent on the optoelectrical properties of few-walled carbon nanotube (FWCNT)/epoxy resin hybrid films fabricated on glass substrates. The FWCNT/epoxy resin mixture solution was successfully prepared by the direct mixing of a HNO3-treated FWCNT solution and epoxy resin. FWCNT/binder hybrid films containing different amounts of the coupling agent were then fabricated on UV-ozone-treated glass substrates. To determine the critical binder content (Xc), the effects of varying the binder content in the FWCNT/silane hybrid films on their optoelectrical properties were investigated. In this system, the Xc value was approximately 75 wt%. It was found that above Xc, the coupling agent effectively decreased the sheet resistance of the films. From microscopy images, it was observed that by adding the coupling agent, more uniform FWCNT/binder films were formed.

A method for evaluating bulk sensitive structural characteristics of unpurified, as-purified, and acid treated single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was described in the present study. The optical spectra of SWNT solutions were well resolved after prolonged sonication and they were correlated to the diameter and the distribution of nanotubes. The acid-treated SWNTs were similar to as-purified SWNTs in terms of catalyst residue, radial breathing mode (RBM) in the Raman spectra, and the first band gap energy of semiconducting tubes in the optical spectra. The solution phase optical spectra were more sensitive to changes in the small diameter and metallic tubes after the acid treatment than were the RBM spectra.

The effects of fiber surface-treatment and sizing on the dynamic mechanical properties of unidirectional and 2-directional carbon fiber/nylon 6 composites by means of dynamic mechanical analysis have been investigated in the present study. The interlaminar shear strengths of 2-directional carbon/nylon 6 composites sized with various thermosetting and thermoplastic resins are also measured using a short-beam shear test method. The result suggests that different surface-treatment levels onto carbon fibers may influence the storage modulus and tan δ behavior of carbon/nylon 6 composites, reflecting somewhat change of the stiffness and the interfacial adhesion of the composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis and short-beam shear test results indicate that appropriate use of a sizing material upon carbon fiber composite processing may contribute to enhancing the interfacial and/or interlaminar properties of woven carbon fabric/nylon 6 composites, depending on their resin characteristics and processing temperature.