Polymer nanocomposites from free-standing, macroscopic boron nitride nanotube assemblies. Issue 51 (6th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Keun Su; Jakubinek, Michael B.; Martinez-Rubi, Yadienka; Ashrafi, Behnam; Guan, Jingwen; O'Neill, K.; Plunkett, Mark; Hrdina, Amy; Lin, Shuqiong; Dénommée, Stéphane; Kingston, Christopher; Simard, Benoit
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 5:Issue 51(2015)
• Page Start: 41186
• Page End: 41192
• Publication Date: 2015-05-06
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra02988k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : The fabrication of BNNT–polymer nanocomposites, including BNNT–epoxy and BNNT–polyurethane has been demonstrated for the first time from free-standing BNNT buckypapers. Abstract : Here we report the fabrication of free-standing boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) sheets by direct deposition and by vacuum filtration methods, including novel hybrid assemblies with BNNT and carbon nanotubes. Such sheets have enabled production of polymer nanocomposites with high nanotube content. Two example cases, BNNT–epoxy nanocomposites (>30 wt% BNNTs) produced by impregnation of dry sheets and BNNT sheets modified by integration of a thermoplastic polyurethane are described. Related methods have proven advantageous for carbon nanotube composites and, enabled by new technology for large scale BNNT production, such composites have now been realized with BNNTs. This represents an important milestone towards the development of BNNT-based multifunctional composites.