Individual carbon nanotubes exhibit exceptional properties, but their direct use and fundamental characterization are difficult because as produced materials are often under the form of light, entangled and disordered powders. Dispersing and processing nanotubes under other forms are critical challenges to achieve materials which can be more easily studied, modified or applied. Many exciting applications would become therefore possible, from light and strong composites to actuators or artificial muscles, intelligent textiles, biomaterials or sensors…This is why chemistry, formulation and processing of carbon nanotubes are the main focuses of our team.

In particular, our group is looking for new ways of dispersing or solubilizing nanotubes. One of our aims is the understanding of the thermodynamical, kinetic and rheological behaviour of nanotube suspensions or solutions.

On the other hand, the work of the team is also focused on the development of carbon nanotube spinning processes. Fibers comprised of carbon nanotubes exhibit very promising mechanical properties, with high toughness and unique shape memory effects. This research is currently carried out in a Joint Research Laboratory of the CRPP and Arkema, a major chemistry French industrial group developing the production and applications of nanotubes.

Our group is also investigating new functionalization schemes to modify nanotubes and achieve new properties and control their affinity with liquid or solid. Some of this research is developed for the improvements of the properties of nanotube fibers.

Furthermore, the group is also working on electrochemical and electromechanical properties of carbon nanotube fibers, composites and films. Fibers and other nanotube based materials exhibit a strong potential in the field for microelectrodes or actuators.