Strengthening and toughening effects by strapping carbon nanotube cross-links with polymer molecules. (27th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zou, Jingyun; Zhang, Xiaohua; Zhao, Jingna; Lei, Chaoshuai; Zhao, Yonghao; Zhu, Yuntian; Li, Qingwen
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 135(2016)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2016-10-27
• Subjects: Carbon nanotube fiber -- Strengthening -- Toughening -- Cross-link -- Strapping; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2016.09.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: Cross-linked carbon nanotube (CNT) networks provide efficient load and charge transfer within their assemblies. Injection chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) has been widely used to obtain such structure with rich cross-links. However, in the iCVD process, a certain organic by-products, probably dioctyl phthalate (DOP) molecules, co-exist in the CNT network, which degrade the interfacial property between CNTs. The removal of the DOP-like molecules can remarkably strengthen the CNT cross-links, improving the assembly's modulus, but it also causes significant loss in toughness. Here we report that strapping up the strengthened cross-links with long-chain and inherently polar polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) can result in a simultaneous strengthening and toughening of CNT assemblies, e.g. CNT fibers. This finding represents a new strategy to develop advanced CNT-based macroscopic assembly materials.