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Abstract: Cutting carbon nanotubes is an important issue encountered in many potential applications. It was found that multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) could be cut short efficiently by a two-roller mill. The addition of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) could increase the cutting efficiency and make the lengths of as shortened carbon nanotubes more uniform. Both the milling times and MWNTs'' content in PMMA composite had positive effects on the final lengths of as shortened MWNTs. The shortened MWNTs obtained from PMMA composites containing 25% MWNTs after being milled for 20 times showed a narrow length distribution of 250–300 nm and could form a homogeneous and stable dispersion in H2CCl2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polycarbonate(PC) layer was introduced onto the surface of the purified carbon nanotubes(CNTs) by solution mixing. The as encapsulated nanotubes can be effectively cut short by ball milling for several hours. The average length of carbon nanotubes after 10 h of ball milling is about 60 nm. The polymer layer acts as a micro-cutting medium and stimulates shortening the carbon nanotubes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]