Concentration of lysozyme/single-walled carbon nanotube dispersions.

The dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in aqueous solutions of biological materials enables the production of bulk films and fibers that combine natural biological activity with SWNT's intrinsic mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. In this work, we report the rheology and phase behavior of concentrated lysozyme (LSZ)/SWNT dispersions. Even at low concentration, the LSZ's globular structure causes a deviation from the rheological behavior expected of rigid rods such as SWNT.

Free-Standing Films from Aqueous Dispersions of Lysozyme, Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, and Polyvinyl Alcohol.

Transparent antibacterial films were produced by casting concentrated dispersions of lysozyme (LSZ), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The initial SWNT dispersion state had a significant influence on the films' mechanical properties. Films containing 9 wt % bundled SWNTs had six times higher Young's modulus than control films produced without SWNTs.