Improving mechanical properties of carbon nanotube fibers through simultaneous solid-state cycloaddition and crosslinking

Lu, Xinyi; Hiremath, Nitilaksha; Hong, Kunlun; Evora, Maria C.; Ranson, Victoria H.; Naskar, Amit K.; Bhat, Gajanan S.; Kang, Nam-Goo; Mays, Jimmy W.

doi:10.1088/1361-6528/aa6223

Title: Improving mechanical properties of carbon nanotube fibers through simultaneous solid-state cycloaddition and crosslinking

Journal Article · 13 March 2017 · Nanotechnology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/aa6223 · OSTI ID:1349602

Lu, Xinyi ^[1]; Hiremath, Nitilaksha ^[2]; Hong, Kunlun ^[3]; Evora, Maria C. ^[4]; Ranson, Victoria H. ^[5]; Naskar, Amit K. ^[6]; Bhat, Gajanan S. ^[2]; Kang, Nam-Goo ^[1]; Mays, Jimmy W. ^[1]

Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS)
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Chemistry; Univ. of Sao Paulo (Brazil). Inst. for Advanced Studies (IEAV/DCTA)
Univ. of Texas-Dallas, Richardson, TX (United States). Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science & Technology Division

Individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit exceptional mechanical properties. However, difficulties remain in fully realizing these properties in CNT macro-assemblies, because the weak inter-tube forces result in the CNTs sliding past one another. Here in this study, a simple solid-state reaction is presented that enhances the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) through simultaneous covalent functionalization and crosslinking. This is the first chemical crosslinking proposed without the involvement of a catalyst or byproducts. The specific tensile strength of CNTFs obtained from the treatment employing a benzocyclobutene-based polymer is improved by 40%. Such improvement can be attributed to a reduced number of voids, impregnation of the polymer, and the formation of covalent crosslinks. This methodology is confirmed using both multiwalled nanotube (MWNT) powders and CNTFs. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy of the treated MWNT powders confirm the covalent functionalization and formation of inter-tube crosslinks. This simple one-step reaction can be applied to industrial-scale production of high-strength CNTFs.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1349602

Journal Information:: Nanotechnology, Journal Name: Nanotechnology Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 28; ISSN 0957-4484

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Effect of rare earth surface modification of carbon nanotubes on enhancement of interfacial bonding of carbon nanotubes reinforced epoxy matrix composites Jiang, M. R.; Zhou, Hua; Cheng, X. H. Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 54, Issue 14 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03631-4	journal	April 2019
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