Characterization and nonlinear optical properties of a poly(acrylic acid)–surfactant–multi-walled carbon nanotube complex

A poly(acrylic acid)–surfactant–multi-walled carbon nanotube complex was prepared and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray diffraction. The complex was found to retain a lamellar structure, and helped micrometer-length multi-walled carbon nanotube dissolve in organic solvents. Its nonlinear optical properties were studied with 532 nm nanosecond laser pulses.