Journal article
Next-generation carbon fibers by electrospinning of pan and MWNT nanocomposite
Polymer preprints, Vol.44(2), pp.115-116
01 Sep 2003
Abstract
Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNT) by Iijima in 1991, CNT have tempted engineering with their incredible properties. Two general types of CNT exist; single wall nanotubes (SWNT) and multi wall nanotubes (MWNT). SWNT are predicted to have the highest physical properties (E #~ 1 TPa), MWNT will have a slightly lower modulus (E #~ 800 GPa). This lower modulus is expected due to sheathing, a failure mechanism where the inner tubes will pull out of the outermost. These CNT composites would have an order of magnitude increase in modulus, if the CNT/polymer composites follow the general rule of mixture. CNT composites have been experimented with in many polymer matrices however, utilizing these high theoretical properties, especially the modulus, in macroscopic applications has been difficult. This can be attributed to common problems in macro-composites such as load transfer, alignment and fiber placement (dispersion) issues. SWNT have been experimented with more because of the potentially higher mechanical and electrical properties but SWNT cost is orders of magnitude higher than MWNT. At $2/gram MWNT are not economical, but they may bring CNT out of the laboratory and into industry. CNT high cost also requires that they be used as sparingly as possible without sacrificing properties. Electro-spinning is a promising way to induce arrangement and fiber/matrix adhesion through flow, confinement and charge induced alignment of the MWNT. Electrospinning is one of the few processes that can produce continuous nanofibers. The objective of this work is to create a MWNT polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanocomposite and a MWNT-reinforced carbon fibers. The multiple properties were examined and characterized using field emission environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), Raman micro-spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
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Details
- Title
- Next-generation carbon fibers by electrospinning of pan and MWNT nanocomposite
- Creators
- N TitchenalN NaguibH YeY GogotsiJ LiuF Ko
- Publication Details
- Polymer preprints, Vol.44(2), pp.115-116
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]; Materials Science and Engineering
- Identifiers
- 991014969764204721