The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer
composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites
are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites
comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs
and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods
of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing
surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a
polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these
nanocomposites in a variety of applications.