A new approach for the achievement of stable aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes

A novel methodology to prepare stable aqueous dispersions of raw single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes is reported, based on dispersions previously prepared in tetrahydrofuran containing a phenol that donates electrons to nanotubes and provides colloidal stability through electrostatic repulsion. A proposed mechanism for the stabilization of the dispersions is presented. Conductive and transparent thin films are prepared through a liquid/liquid interfacial route starting from these dispersions.