Grants and Contracts Details
Description
We propose to create an engineering fiber with enhanced strength, modulus, and
flexibility over conventional carbon fibers by processing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)
into continuously spun nanotruss fibers consisting of primarily MWNTs bonded with a polymer
or polymer-derived matrix. MWNTs offer unique mechanical properties unattainable with other
existing materials: tensile strength -lOGGPa, tensile modulus - 1 TPa, and strain to failure -
15%. We propose a process to harness these remarkable mechanical properties resulting in the
formation of a new engineering material, capitalizingon both the high strength and high
modulus of the MWNT.
A previously developed in-house dry-jet wet spinline used to produce high quality
polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibersl will be employed as a method of producing the raw .NIWNT
composite fibers. A novel modification to this spinning method is proposed as a viable means of
processing these high volume fraction MWNT composite fibers. Dispersions of MWNTs in a
polymer binder solution will be extruded and drawn into fibers. Proposed binders are solutions
of PAN or epoxy resin. In the case of a PAN binder, further heat treatment to bind the MWNTs
together into a continuous carbon truss structure will be done. Elongational flows involved with
fiber spinning will align the dispersed MWNT with the fiber axis, maximizing tensile
reinforcement.
The MWNT/matrix interface will be optimized through chemical modification to create
the ultrahigh strength composite fibers proposed. Similar to conventional high strength fiber
composites, chemical functionalization of the MWNT surface to attach appropriate reactive
agents or oligimers will be employed. These functionalized MWNT will be dispersed in the
PAN.or epoxy binder solution, extruded into a monofilament and collected in a method similar to
wet spinning. What is unique about the proposed process is that previously unattainable high
volume fraction MWNT composite fibers wlll result. Carbonization of the binder would result in
a densified fiber, composed primarily of aligned MWNT, with both very high strength and high
modulus. Successful production the proposed fiber effectively assimilating the MWNTs into a
usable engineering material which efficiently utilizes the unique mechanical properties of the
MWNTs will realize the promise ofMWNT-derived ultrahigh strength materials.
Keywords:
carbon nanotubes, composite fiber, ultrahigh strength, carbon-carbon composite, MWNT
functionalization
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 7/1/03 → 6/30/05 |
Funding
- KY Science and Technology Co Inc: $59,999.00
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