Effect of Carbon Black on the Strain Sensing Property of 3D Printed Conductive Polymer Composites

Applied Composite Materials - In this work, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) filled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites (CNT/TPU and CB/CNT/TPU) were used to prepare the...     

Structure,morphology, sintering behavior,and microwave dielectric properties of 6Ca0.61Nd0.26TiO3–4Nd(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics prepared via citrate precursor method

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - This paper reports a controllable synthesis of 6Ca0.61Nd0.26TiO3–4Nd(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 (6CNT–4NCT) nanopowders by the citrate...     

Carbon Nanotube–Multilayered Graphene Edge Plane Core–Shell Hybrid Foams for Ultrahigh‐Performance Electromagnetic‐Interference Shielding

Materials with an ultralow density and ultrahigh electromagnetic‐interference (EMI)‐shielding performance are highly desirable in fields of aerospace, portable electronics, and so on. Theoretical work predicts that 3D carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene hybrids are one of the most promising lightweight EMI shielding materials, owing to their unique nanostructures and extraordinary electronic properties. Herein, for the first time, a lightweight, flexible, and conductive CNT–multilayered graphene edge plane (MLGEP) core–shell hybrid foam is fabricated using chemical vapor deposition. MLGEPs are seamlessly grown on the CNTs, and the hybrid foam exhibits excellent EMI shielding effectiveness which exceeds 38.4 or 47.5 dB in X‐band at 1.6 mm, while the density is merely 0.0058 or 0.0089 g cm^?3, respectively, which far surpasses the best values of reported carbon‐based composite materials. The grafted MLGEPs on CNTs can obviously enhance the penetration losses of microwaves in foams, leading to a greatly improved EMI shielding performance. In addition, the CNT–MLGEP hybrids also exhibit a great potential as nano‐reinforcements for fabricating high‐strength polymer‐based composites. The results provide an alternative approach to fully explore the potentials of CNT and graphene, for developing advanced multifunctional materials.     

A nanostructured electrode of IrOx foil on the carbon nanotubes for supercapacitors

IrO(x) nanofoils (IrO(x)NF) of high surface area are sputtered on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the preparation of a structured electrode on a stainless steel (SUS) substrate for supercapacitor applications. This IrO(x)/CNT/SUS electrode is featured with intriguing IrO(x) curved foils of 2-3 nm in thickness and 400-500 nm in height, grown on top of the vertically aligned CNT film with a tube diameter of ～ 40 nm. These nanofoils are moderately oxidized during reactive sputtering and appeared translucent under the electron microscope. Detailed structural analysis shows that they are comprised of contiguous grains of iridium metal, iridium dioxide, and glassy iridium oxide. Considerable Raman line broadening is also evidenced for the attributed nanosized iridium oxides. Two capacitive properties of the electrode are significantly enhanced with addition of the curved IrO(x) foils. First, IrO(x)NF reduces the electrode Ohmic resistance, which was measured at 3.5 Ω cm(2) for the CNT/SUS and 2.5 Ω cm(2) for IrO(x)NF/CNT/SUS using impedance spectroscopy. Second, IrO(x)NF raises the electrode capacitance from 17.7 F g(-1) (CNT/SUS) to 317 F g(-1) (IrO(x)/CNT/SUS), measured with cyclic voltammetry. This notable increase is further confirmed by the galvanostatic charge/discharge experiment, measuring 370 F g(-1) after 2000 uninterrupted cycles between - 1.0 and 0.0 V (versus Ag/AgCl).     

An investigation on the dispersibility of carbon nanotube in the latex nanocomposites using rheological properties

This study focuses on the preparation and rheological investigations of carboxylated styrene butadiene rubber latex (XSBR) – multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites. Two types of non-functionalized CNT and hydroxyl functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (CNTOH) were used. A new approach based on concurrent ball milling of CNT and XSBR latex was applied to embed the nano material into the carboxylated latex. To do so, first of all, the effect of ball milling on the colloidal stability of the carboxylated latex was examined by the use of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method. The results of DLS revealed that the particle size of the carboxylated latex did not seriously alter during ball milling, implying that the milling process had no significant impact on the aggregation of particles. The study of rheological properties of nanocomposites showed that the simultaneous milling of the latex and CNT can lead to a relatively better dispersion of CNT in the latex compared to the dispersion obtained by ultrasonication which provides a new opportunity to produce latex nanocomposites in large scales using industrial ball mills. The hydroxyl functionality of CNT led to an enhanced dispersion of CNTOH into the polymer matrix through reaction with carboxyl group of the latex. These findings were also confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Finally, ZnO was proposed as a Lewis catalyst for the improvement of CNT dispersion in the carboxylated latex and an improved dispersion was gained.     

Investigation of the mechanical properties of the Ni–P–CNTs coated copper composite materials: Experiments and modeling

Recent studies on the mechanical properties of nickel–phosphorous–carbon nanotubes (Ni–P–CNTs) coated copper composite materials have shown surprising results. Their Young’s modulus and tensile strength cannot reach the theoretical values, even falling below those of copper, and the Young’s modulus decreases with the increment of CNT concentrations. Materials used in those studies were prepared through electroless composite plating process, with the Ni–P–CNTs composite electrolessly deposited on the copper substrate. In the present study, however, it is shown that the Young’s modulus and the tensile strength do increase significantly with the increment of the CNT concentrations without activating the CNTs. A composite method of Voigt model and a random distributed discontinuous fiber model is applied to obtain the equivalent Young’s modulus of the composite, which agrees very well with the experimental data.     

Al/CNT nanocomposite fabrication on the different property of raw material using a planetary ball mill

In recent years, significant research has been focused on the development of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminum nanocomposites, which are quickly emerging because of their lightweight, high strength and other mechanical properties. The potential applications of these composites include the automotive and aerospace industries. In this study, powder metallurgy techniques are employed to fabricate aluminum (Al)/CNT nanocomposites with different raw material properties with optimized conditions. We successfully fabricated three different samples, including un-milled Al, un-milled Al with CNT and milled Al with CNT nanocomposites, in the presence of additional CNTs with various experimental conditions using a planetary ball mill. Scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy are used to evaluate the particle morphology and CNT dispersion. The CNTs are well dispersed on the surface of the fabricated milled Al with CNT nanocomposites than un-milled Al with CNT nanocomposites for milling. The fabricated Al/CNT nanocomposites are processed by a compacting, sintering and rolling process. Vickers hardness measurements are used to characterize the mechanical properties. The hardness of the Al/CNT nanocomposites are improved milled Al with CNT nanocomposite compared other fabricated composites.     

基于建构主义理论的网络教学课程设计 ——以包装材料学为例

建构主义学习理论认为:学生掌握的知识不是通过教师传授得到的,而是学习者在一定的情境即社会文化背景下,借助其他人(包括教师和学习伙伴)的帮助,利用必要的学习资料,通过意义建构的方式而获得的。而网络教学所表现出的学习主体与客体的互动、学生自主学习、学生协作交流等特点与建构主义学习理论颇为一致。因此,将建构主义学习理论与计算机网络应用于包装材料学课程教学,并在此基础上对包装材料学网络课程教学模式进行了设计。     

催化剂前驱体对碳纳米管生长影响的研究

采用柠檬酸络合法, 通过改变La和Ni的摩尔比例获得了一系列的La-Ni-O催化剂前驱体, 以H₂作为还原气体, N₂为保护气体, C₂H₂为碳源, 采用化学气相沉积法制备碳纳米管(CNT). 用XRD研究所得催化剂前驱体还原前后的结构, TEM观察所得CNT的形貌. 结果发现: 在所制备的一系列La-Ni-O催化剂前驱体中, 具有催化活性的物质只有: LaNiO₃和La₂NiO₄. 但由LaNiO₃所制备的CNT的产率却大大高于由La₂NiO₄所制备的CNT的产率. 经分析认为, 这主要是与两者被还原后的产物中的纳米级金属Ni的(111)晶面含量有关, 纳米级金属Ni的(111)晶面含量和晶粒度越大, 其CNT的产率和内径也就越大.     

Effects of CNT diameter on mechanical properties of aligned CNT sheets and composites

Drawing, winding, and pressing techniques were used to produce horizontally aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets from free-standing vertically aligned CNT arrays. The aligned CNT sheets were used to develop aligned CNT/epoxy composites through hot-melt prepreg processing with a vacuum-assisted system. Effects of CNT diameter change on the mechanical properties of aligned CNT sheets and their composites were examined. The reduction of the CNT diameter considerably increased the mechanical properties of the aligned CNT sheets and their composites. The decrease of the CNT diameter along with pressing CNT sheets drastically enhanced the mechanical properties of the CNT sheets and CNT/epoxy composites. Raman spectra measurements showed improvement of the CNT alignment in the pressed CNT/epoxy composites. Research results suggest that aligned CNT/epoxy composites with high strength and stiffness are producible using aligned CNT sheets with smaller-diameter CNTs.     

Effects of CNT waviness on the effective elastic responses of CNT-reinforced polymer composites

In this study, the effects of fiber waviness on the effective elastic responses of CNT–polymer composites are investigated based on the framework of micromechanics and homogenization. By taking advantage of an ad hoc Eshelby tensor, the load-transfer capability of wavy carbon nanotube (CNT) embedded in the polymer matrix is accounted for. Further, the effective elastic responses of composites are simulated by using the multi-phase Mori–Tanaka method to study the influence of randomly oriented wavy CNT. It is demonstrated that the proposed micromechanics-based closed form solution is effective to tackle the underlying problem. The present predictions and the comparisons with the available experimental data indicate that the CNT waviness leads to the degradation of effective responses of composites. Finally, in addition to the effect of CNT waviness, the significance of CNT interface is briefly discussed based on the experimental observations.     

The effect of molecular chain polarity on electric field-induced aligned conductive carbon nanotube network formation in polymer melt

Two ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers containing 10 and 25 wt.% vinyl acetate (EVA10 and EVA25) were utilized to explore the effect of molecular polarity on the formation of conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) network in EVA melt under an electric field. Because of the different interfacial energy, it was supposed to be stronger molecular chain-CNT interaction in CNT/EVA25 than that in CNT/EVA10. The critical time for conductive CNT network formation decreased with annealing temperature, filler loading and EVA polarity. The activation energy of conductive CNT network formation (93.9 kJ/mol) in CNT/EVA10 is lower than that (104.7 kJ/mol) in CNT/EVA25. By a thermodynamic percolation model, the percolation threshold at the equilibrium state was about 0.19 vol.% for CNT/EVA10, while it rose to 0.27 vol.% for CNT/EVA25. Morphological observation showed a high degree of CNT alignment in CNT/EVA10 compared to CNT/EVA25 after application of an electric field. The results suggested the strong CNT–EVA chain interaction and higher viscosity of polymer matrix limited the CNT alignment and the conductive network tended to form easily in EVA melt with a low chain polarity.     

Electrochemical sensing based on redox mediation at carbon nanotubes

An electrochemical sensing platform was developed based on the integration of redox mediators and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in a polymeric matrix. To demonstrate the concept, a redox mediator Azure dye (AZU) was covalently attached to polysaccharide chains of chitosan (CHIT) and interspersed with CNT to form composite films for the amperometric determination of beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The incorporation of CNT into CHIT-AZU matrix facilitated the AZU-mediated electrooxidation of NADH. In particular, CNT decreased the overpotential for the mediated process by an extra 0.30 V and amplified the NADH current by approximately 35 times (at -0.10 V) while reducing the response time from approximately 70 s for CHIT-AZU to approximately 5 s for CHIT-AZU/CNT films. These effects were discussed in terms of the AZU/CNT synergy, which improved charge propagation through the CHIT-AZU/CNT matrix. The concept of CNT-facilitated redox mediation in polymeric matrixes has a potential to be of general interest for expediting redox processes in electrochemical devices such as sensors, biosensors, and biological fuel cells and reactors.     

碳纳米管光致电流的机理探究

将碳纳米管长丝搭接在两个电极之间,在光照情况下,测量了不同照射位置和不同偏压下的电流变化,探索碳纳米管光致电流的机理。光致电流的产生机理分为两步:一是碳纳米管内部的肖特基结在光照情况下光生载流子的产生;二是在自身的扩散和外加电场的作用下光生载流子的运动。     

Growth of long and aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes on carbon and metal substrates

Well aligned, long and dense multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) can be grown on both carbon fibres and any metal substrates compatible with the CNT synthesis temperature. The injection-CVD process developed involves two stages, including fibre pretreatment by depositing a SiO(2)-based sub-layer from an organometallic precursor followed by CNT growth from toluene/ferrocene precursor mixture. Carbon substrates, as well as metals, can easily be treated with this process, which takes place in the same reactor and does not need any handling in between the two stages. The aligned CNT carpets obtained are similar to the ones grown on reference quartz substrates. The CNT growth rate is fairly high (ca. 30?μm?min(-1)) and it is possible to control CNT length by varying the CNT synthesis duration. The thickness of the SiO(2)-based sub-layer can be varied and is shown to have an influence on the CNT growth. This layer is assumed to play a diffusion barrier layer role between the substrate and the iron based catalyst nanoparticles producing CNT. The CNT anchorage to the carbon fibres has been checked and good overall adhesion proved, which is in favour of a good transfer of electrical charge and heat between the nanotubes and fibre.     

On the contribution of carbon nanotube deformation to piezoresistivity of carbon nanotube/polymer composites

The change in electrical resistance due to mechanical deformation of carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites can be rationalized in terms of two effects: (i) changes in the composite electrical resistivity due to changes in the CNT network configuration and (ii) deformation of the CNTs themselves. The contribution of CNT dimensional changes (ii) to the piezoresistivity of CNT/polymer composites is investigated here. An analytical model based exclusively on dimensional changes which describes the CNT change of electrical resistance in terms of its mechanical deformation is proposed. A micromechanics approach and finite element analysis are performed to correlate the macroscale composite strain to the individual CNT strain. The CNT change of electrical resistance is quantified for different matrix elastic moduli and CNT weight fractions. The CNT/polymer composite is also modeled as an effective continuum material in terms of both its electrical and mechanical responses so that the effect of dimensional changes on the global piezoresistivity can be investigated. Based on the modeling predictions and previous experimental results, it is estimated that the CNT change of resistance due to the macroscale composite strain is marginal (∼5%) compared to the total composite change of resistance commonly measured in the laboratory, suggesting that the dominant effect in the piezoresistivity of CNT/polymer composites is the change in the CNT network configuration.     

Experimental Study on Thermal Contact Resistance at the End of a Carbon Nanotube

A carbon nanotube (CNT) has a very high intrinsic thermal conductivity and is expected to be used in a variety of thermal applications. However, the thermal contact resistance (TCR) between a CNT and ambient material still remains unclear. Some analytical and molecular dynamics studies have been reported, but there is no reliable experimental method to quantitatively investigate the interface issues. This article reports on a new technique for measuring the TCR at the end of an individual CNT by using a platinum hot film sensor. Two methods are introduced to obtain the TCR between a multi-walled CNT and a SiO₂ surface, and both methods were confirmed to give an identical TCR.     

The effect of nanotube surface oxidation on the electrical properties of multiwall carbon nanotube/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites

Carbon nanotube/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (CNT/PVDF) composites were prepared using CNT with different oxidation and thermal treatments. The oxidation procedure leads to CNT with the most acidic characteristics that lower the degree of crystallinity of the polymer and contribute to a large increase of the dielectric constant. The surface treatments, in general, increase the percolation threshold and decrease conductivity. The surface treatments do not seem to affect CNT interactions and similar degrees of dispersion are achieved in all cases, as shown by the SEM results. The maximum value of the dielectric constant is ~630. It is demonstrated that the composite conductivity can be attributed to a hopping mechanism that is strongly affected by the surface treatment of the CNT.     

Effects of silane-modified carbon nanotubes on flexural and fracture behaviors of carbon nanotube-modified epoxy/basalt composites

We investigated the effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) modification with silane on the flexural and fracture behaviors of modified carbon nanotube epoxy/basalt (CNT/epoxy/basalt) composites. Flexural and mode I fracture tests were performed using acid-treated and silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites, respectively. FT-IR analysis was conducted to determine the chemical change on the surface of basalt fiber due to the silane modification. After the fracture tests, the fracture surfaces of the CNT/epoxy/basalt composites were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the fracture mechanisms of the CNT/epoxy/basalt composites, depending on the CNT modification. The results show that the flexural modulus and strength of silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites are ～10% and ～14% greater, respectively, than those of acid-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites. The fracture toughness G_Ic of silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites was ～40% greater than that of acid-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites. SEM examination revealed that the improvement in the flexural and fracture properties of silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites occurred due to enhanced dispersion and interfacial interaction between the silane-modified CNTs and the epoxy.     

A numerical study on carbon nanotube pullout to understand its bridging effect in carbon nanotube reinforced composites

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymeric composites provide a promising future in structural engineering. To understand the bridging effect of CNT in the events of the fracture of CNT reinforced composites, the finite element method was applied to simulate a single CNT pullout from a polymeric matrix using cohesive zone modelling. The numerical results indicate that the debonding force during the CNT pullout increases almost linearly with the interfacial crack initiation shear stress. Specific pullout energy increases with the CNT embedded length, while it is independent of the CNT radius. In addition, a saturated debonding force exists corresponding to a critical CNT embedded length. A parametric study shows that a higher saturated debonding force can be achieved if the CNT has a larger radius or if the CNT/matrix has a stronger interfacial bonding. The critical CNT embedded length decreases with the increase of the interfacial crack initiation shear stress.