Abstract: Carbon nanotube microspheres with regular shape were fabricated from acid-treated and aminefunctionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using reverse microemulsion. The effects of the oil system with different molecular weight, the content of CNTs in ammonia water, the extent of acid treatment, and the stir temperature for emulsion on the formation and morphology of CNTs microspheres were investigated, meanwhile the mechanism of CNTs microspheres formation was studied. It is found that using CNTs acid treated for 1.5h, CNTs microspheres with a diameter of 2-20μm are synthesized after vigorous stirring in castor oil system at 85℃. In addition, with increasing the contents of CNTs in ammonia water from 0.27% to 0.55%, the fabricated microspheres become larger, and their surfaces become more compact.

Key words: carbon nanotube, reverse microemulsion, microspheres