Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Filled Ultraviolet Curable Resin Nanocomposites and Their Applications for Nanoimprint Lithography

A conductive UV curable resin was prepared by mixing nanosized silver particles growing on modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWNT). The MWNT was treated by a concentrated H2SO4/HNO3 mixture and then ultrasonicated with AgNO3 in ethylene glycol (EG) solution for nanosized Ag particles to be deposited on. To improve the reaction process and control particle size, additives such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS) were added into the system. The microstructure and surface morphology of Ag/MMWNT composite was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, and the optimal reaction time was discussed. These prefabricated Ag/MMWNT nanofillers were dispersed homogeneously in an acrylic resin before cured under UV radiation. The curing process was tracked by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the electrical resistivity was measured by the Four-probe method. The nanoimprint lithography was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and the morphologies of products associated with applications were displayed.