Influência da exposição a raios-X na condutividade elétrica do 'Buckypaper'

Abstract

This work introduces the Buckypaper material, it presents confection methods for such material and verifies the influence of radiation exposure in the parameter of electrical conductivity of the material. Buckypaper is built from Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) (acquired in the market) dispersing it in some solution through agitation from sonicators, and filtering it through a sand filter (with the help of a vacuum pump) with a porous membrane (also acquired in the market). Rectangular shaped Buckypaper samples had their metric measures taken and different potentials were applied in both extremities of each sample, registering the potential difference and current. With this data the conductivity of the samples was verified (with the order of magnitude of the fifth power of ten siemens per metre) classifying them as conductors. The samples were then exposed to X-rays (using X-ray tubes), each with a distinct radiation intensity (between two and a hundred and ten grays). Each sample‟s conductivity was once again measured and compared with the results before the exposure. It was verified that every sample‟s conductivity was reduced (by a factor between thirty and seventy per cent of the original) without evident relation between the intensity of radiation used. It is concluded that X-rays damage Buckypaper in relation to its electrical conductivity and that the damages should reach a limit.