Adhesion study of polyimide to single-wall carbon nanotube bundles by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy

High-resolution electron microscopy and energy-filtered imaging methods were used to examine single-wall carbon nanotubes and nanotube reinforced polyimide composites. The nanotubes were studied alone, in a polyimide matrix composite, and after deposition of composite material previously dissolved in a solvent. Energy-filtered images based on nitrogen core loss excitations were used to discern the presence of polyimide. Elemental maps of nanotubes extracted from the composite revealed good wetting of the nanotube surfaces by the polyimide.