Fabrication of thermally robust carbon nanotube (CNT)/SiO2 composite films and their high-temperature mechanical properties. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Jingyu; Chen, Jingfu; Shi, Liyi; Li, Qingwen; Lu, Weibang; Qu, Shuxuan; Qiu, Wenfeng; Zhou, Gengheng
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 147(2019)
• Page Start: 236
• Page End: 241
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2019.02.088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) films have shown great promise for a wide range of applications such as high-performance composites, energy devices, and environmental protection. However, the mechanical degradation of CNT films under high temperatures caused by their inherent weak oxidation resistance significantly limits their application in high-temperature environments. This paper presents a method for improving the mechanical properties and thermal stability of CNT films using SiO2 -coating modification. The SiO2 precursor was first uniformly infiltrated into a CNT film via a vacuum-assisted filtration method. The SiO2 precursor was then decomposed under a controlled temperature to form an amorphous SiO2 layer wrapped on the CNTs. This treatment remarkably enhanced the mechanical performance of the CNT film, with a tensile strength of 180.9 MPa, which was 200% higher than that of the pristine CNT film. The SiO2 -modified CNT film also exhibited excellent thermal stability at 500 °C, making it possible to expand its usage in high-temperature environments. The mechanism of the enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability of the SiO2 /CNT film is also discussed. Graphical abstract: CNT/SiO2composite filmsare rapidly prepared via curing the silicon-based precursors at low temperature. This treatment remarkably enhanced the mechanical performance of the CNT film, withatensile strength of 180.9 MPa, which was 200% higher than thatof the pristine CNT film. The SiO2-modified CNT film also exhibited excellent thermal stability at 500 °C, making it possible to use it in high-temperature environments. Image 1