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DOI: 10.15507/2658-4123.26363.662-675

UDK 544.7-036.6:542.943

 

Increasing the Dispersibility of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Uniform Distribution in the Polymer Matrix Using Soft Acid Treatment

 

Sergey M. Khantimerov
Cand.Sci. (Eng.), Director, ZPTI – Subdivision of FIC KazanSC of RAS (10/7 Sibirskiy Trakt St., Kazan 420029, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4385-3268, Researcher ID: N-9127-2016, Scopus ID: 23502060300, SPIN-code: 6694-8272, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ranis R. Garipov
Cand.Sci. (Eng.), Junior Research Fellow in Laboratory of the Physics of Carbon Nanostructures and Composite Systems, ZPTI – Subdivision of FIC KazanSC of RAS (10/7 Sibirskiy Trakt St., Kazan 420029, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3263-0694, Researcher ID: AAO-7766-2021, Scopus ID: 57223588617, SPIN-code: 2653-6370, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ivan A. Yemelyanov
Undergraduate Student, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University (18 Kremlevskaya St., Kazan 420008, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1013-710X, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nail M. Suleimanov
Dr.Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher and is a Head of the Laboratory of the Physics of Carbon Nanostructures and Composite Systems, ZPTI – Subdivision of FIC KazanSC of RAS (Lit. A, 10/7 Sibirsky Trakt St., Kazan 420029, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2277-4982, Researcher ID: ABH-4186-2020, Scopus ID: 6603867983, SPIN-code: 5237-3594, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Abstract
Introduction. Modern polymer composites modified with carbon nanotubes open up new possibilities for creating materials with improved mechanical, electrical and thermal conductivity properties. The key problem limiting wide application of these materials is the uneven distribution of nanotubes in the polymer matrix and their tendency to aggregate. To solve this problem, there can be used chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes, in particular acid treatment. When scaling up the technology, evaluating the effect of this treatment on the distribution of carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix will allow reducing the cost of manufacturing masterbatches and products based on polymer composite materials.
Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at developing a gentle carbon nanotubes functionalization regime that ensures the production of polymer composite materials with a uniform filler distribution.
Materials and Methods. The object of the study was multi-walled carbon nanotubes LUCAN BT 1001M in their original and treated (with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids) forms. The specific surface area of the samples was determined by the adsorption methods and analyzed with the use of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method. The distribution of the original and treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes was investigated by the optical microscopy method.
Results. It has been found that the specific surface area of multi-walled carbon nanotubes increases after functionalization. It has shown that the treatment of carbon nanotubes in a gentle mode makes it possible to obtain stable aqueous dispersions and distribute them uniformly in a polymer matrix.
Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the need for a functionalization procedure of carbon nanotubes for their practical application and indicate the effectiveness of a gentle nanotube treatment regime for obtaining composite materials with uniformly distributed filler.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes, functionalization, polymers, composite materials, liquidphase oxidation, polymer matrix, polymethylmethacrylate

Funding: The work was supported by a grant from the Academy of Sciences № 88/2024-PD of the Republic of Tatarstan, provided to young candidates of science (postdoctoral students) for the purpose of defending a doctoral dissertation, carrying out research work, and also performing work functions in scientific and educational organizations of the Republic of Tatarstan within the framework of the State Program of the Republic of Tatarstan “Scientific and Technological Development of the Republic of Tatarstan”.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

For citation: Khantimerov S. M., Garipov R.R., Emelyanov I.A., Suleimanov N.M. Increasing the Dispersibility of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Uniform Distribution in the Polymer Matrix Using Soft Acid Treatment. Engineering Technologies and Systems. 2026;36(3):662–675. https://doi.org/10.15507/2658-4123.26363.662-675

Authors contribution:
S. M. Khantimerov – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; management and coordination responsibility for the research activity planning and execution; preparation, creation and presentation of the published work by those from the original research group, бspecifically critical review, commentary or revision – including pre- or post-publication stages.
R. R. Garipov – conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the experiments, or data; application of statistical, mathematical, computational, or other formal techniques to analyses or synthesize study data; preparation, creation and presentation of the published work, specifically visualization; preparation, creation and presentation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation).
I. A. Emelyanov – conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the experiments, or data, preparation, creation and presentation of the published work, specifically visualization.
N. M. Suleimanov – development or design of methodology; creation of models, verification, whether as a part of the activity or separate, of the overall replication, reproducibility of results, experiments and other research outputs.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 11.10.2025;
revised 12.11.2025;
accepted 10.03.2026

 

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