Understanding macroscopic assemblies of carbon nanostructures with microstructural complexity. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Shijun; Lin, Jiahao; Xu, Zhen; Xu, Zhiping
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 143(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Carbon nanostructures -- Macroscopic assemblies -- Microstructures -- Basic structural units; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2021.106318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon s p 2 building blocks such as graphene and carbon nanotubes hold great promises for structural and functional applications due to their intriguing material properties, which, unfortunately, fail to be upscaled into fibers or films as their macroscopic assemblies. The loss in performance originates from material imperfection and microstructural irregularities. From experimental evidences, we identify that their basic structural units are laminates of graphene sheets or closely-packed bundles of carbon nanotubes. Morphological corrugation and polydispersity in geometry, material properties, alignment are thus intrinsic features of their hierarchical structures in fibers or films, where loads are transferred through networks of tension–shear force chains. Microstructure-derived theoretical models are developed to accommodate these complexities and analyze overall properties. Predictions are consistent with experimental data for graphene films, where the film thickness and gauge length of samples in measurements are controlled.