NBPs were fabricated from CNTs through a series of sonication and filtration processes. In this study, Taguchi method was used to optimize the parameter values for obtaining the desired characteristics. Various factors affecting the filtration time, electrical conductivity and rope diameter were analyzed and optimized. The rope diameter of the CNTs was the parameter that had major effects on the filtration time, electrical conductivity and rope diameter of the NBPs. In addition, it has been determined that the electrical conductivity of CNTs is the most significant factor affecting the electrical conductivity of NBPs. Under optimal conditions using Taguchi method, these results are in good agreement with the data that was verified and analyzed by Taguchi method. Consequently, the desired NBPs can be fabricated using Taguchi method and ANOVA to realize what the significant parameters of CNTs are and to obtain the correct specification of CNTs from a CNT company.
In this thesis, although there are several parameters had been investigated, some factors which were not chosen in this experiment might be significant, such as rope length. Moreover, different CNT company’s products might result in different quality NBPs even though manufactured by the same specification of CNTs. In conclusion, in order to further realize CNTs and NBPs, there are lots of experiments and efforts need to implement.
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