Electrochemical fabrication of polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite films for electrooxidation of methanol

Polyaniline (PANI)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) composite films were fabricated by electropolymerization of aniline containing well-dissolved MWNTs. The films can be used as catalyst supports for electro-oxidation of methanol. Cyclic voltammogram and Chronoamperogram results show that platinum particles deposited on PANI/MWNT composite films exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation than that deposited on pure PANI films. The porous structure and electrical conductivity of PANI films has been significantly changed by introduction of MWNTs, higher surface areas of PANI/MWNT composites has been achieved therefore. It favors for platinum particles to be highly dispersed on the PANI/MWNT composite films and the better electrocatalytic activity of Pt/PANI/MWNT electrode is induced consequently.     

Template directed formation of nanoparticle decorated multi-walled carbon nanotube bundles with uniform diameter

Bundles of multi-walled carbon nanotubes of uniform diameter decorated with Ni nanoparticles were synthesized using mesoporous silicates as templates. The ordered morphology and the narrow pore size distribution of mesoporous silicates provide an ideal platform to synthesize uniformly sized carbon nanotubes. In addition, homogeneous sub-10?nm pore sizes of the templates allow in?situ formation of catalytic nanoparticles with uniform diameters which end up decorating the carbon nanotubes. The resulting carbon nanotubes are multi-walled with a uniform diameter corresponding to the pore diameter of the template used during the synthesis that are decorated with the catalysts used to synthesize them. They have a narrow size distribution which can be used in many energy related fields of research.     

Electrochemical behaviour and voltammetric determination of sulphadiazine using a multi-walled carbon nanotube composite film-glassy carbon electrode

The anodic oxidation of sulphadiazine (SD) was investigated at a glassy carbon electrode modified by multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT–GCE), using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results indicate that MWCNT-modified GCEs show an efficient and selective electrocatalytic activity towards the anodic oxidation of SD among biologically important compounds in buffered solutions at pH?=?7. It was found that oxidation of SD at the surface of MWCNT–GCE occurs at a potential less positive than that of unmodified GCE (about 100?mV). The diffusion coefficient of SD was also estimated using chronoamperometry. The kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient between SD and modified electrode, α, and the charge transfer rate constant, k_s , for oxidation of SD at the MWCNT–GCE surface were determined according to the Laviron procedure. The dissociation constants of oxidised and reduced acid–base species of SD can be obtained from the E _1/2 versus pH curves. The linear dependence of the peak current on the concentration was observed in the range 10–2000?µmol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.1?µmol?L^?1. The method was also applied to determinate the SD in human blood plasma and urine samples.     

Strain-dependent electrical resistance of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polymer composite films

The strain-dependent electrical resistance characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polymer composite films were investigated. In this research, polyethylene oxide (PEO) is used as the polymer matrix. Two representative volume fractions of MWCNT/PEO composite films were selected: 0.56?vol% (near the percolation threshold) and 1.44?vol% (away?from the percolation threshold) of MWCNT. An experimental setup which can measure electrical resistance and strain simultaneously and continuously has been developed. Unique and repeatable relationships in resistance versus strain were obtained for multiple specimens with different volume fractions of MWCNT. The overall pattern of electrical resistance change versus strain for the specimens tested consists of linear and nonlinear regions. A resistance change model to describe the combination of linear and nonlinear modes of electrical resistance change as a function of strain is suggested. The unique characteristics in electrical resistance change for different volume fractions imply that MWCNT/PEO composite films can be used as tunable strain sensors and for application into embedded sensor systems in structures.     

Lyocell/多壁碳纳米管复合纤维的制备及性能

将多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)水悬浮液、N-甲基吗啉-N-氧化物(NMMO)溶液及纤维素共混得到纺丝液,通过干湿法制备了Lyocell/MWCNT复合纤维。采用X-衍射仪(WAXD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、强度仪等分析了所得纤维的结构和性能。WAXD图谱显示复合纤维仍然具有纤维素II晶型的结构,同时还保留了MWCNTs的特征衍射峰;二维X衍射结果表明:MWCNTs质量分数为5%的复合纤维中,MWCNTs与纤维轴的取向角为±15.2°,说明复合纤维中MWCNTs基本沿着纤维轴取向。SEM结果显示复合纤维中MWCNTs在Lyocell基体中分布均匀。对纤维的力学性能分析进一步表明:添加适量的MWCNTs可使复合纤维的力学性能提高,MWCNTs质量分数为1%的复合纤维的初始模量和强度分别比Lyocell纤维增加49.4%和15.7%。     

多壁碳纳米管／硅橡胶复合材料的湿度敏感特性

采用多壁碳纳米管和硅橡胶制备多壁碳纳米管／硅橡胶复合材料。研究了该复合材料的导电网络和湿敏特性。通过透射电镜观察经过化学修饰和未修饰的多壁碳纳米管的表面形貌,扫描电镜观察多壁碳纳米管／硅橡胶复合材料形成的导电网络结构;分析该复合材料的导电机理,研究多壁碳纳米管／硅橡胶感湿特性。结果表明,相对湿度在11％-98％的范围,...     

Fabrication and characterization of a zirconia/multi-walled carbon nanotube mesoporous composite

A zirconia/multi-walled carbon nanotube (ZrO₂/MWCNT) mesoporous composite was fabricated via a simple method using a hydrothermal process with the aid of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N₂ adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to characterize the as-made samples. The cubic ZrO₂ nanocrystallites were observed to overlay the surface of MWCNTs, which resulted in the formation of a novel mesoporous–nanotube composite. On the basis of a TEM analysis of the products from controlled experiment, the role of the acid-treated MWCNTs and CTAB was proposed to explain the formation of the mesoporous–nanotube structure. The as-made composite possessed novel properties, such as a high surface area (312 m² · g^? 1) and a bimodal mesoporous structure (3.18 nm and 12.4 nm). It was concluded that this composite has important application value due to its one-dimensional hollow structure, excellent electric conductivity and large surface area.     

Mechanical property enhancement of aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube sheets and composites through press-drawing process

A solid-state drawing and winding process was done to create thin aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets from CNT arrays. However, waviness and poor packing of CNTs in the sheets are two main weaknesses restricting their reinforcing efficiency in composites. This report proposes a simple press-drawing technique to reduce wavy CNTs and to enhance dense packing of CNTs in the sheets. Non-pressed and pressed CNT/epoxy composites were developed using prepreg processing with a vacuum-assisted system. Effects of pressing on the mechanical properties of the aligned CNT sheets and CNT/epoxy composites were examined. Pressing with distributed loads of 147, 221, and 294 N/m showed a substantial increase in the tensile strength and the elastic modulus of the aligned CNT sheets and their composites. The CNT sheets under a press load of 221 N/m exhibited the best mechanical properties found in this study. With a press load of 221 N/m, the pressed CNT sheet and its composite, respectively, enhanced the tensile strength by 139.1 and 141.9%, and the elastic modulus by 489 and 77.6% when compared with non-pressed ones. The pressed CNT/epoxy composites achieved high tensile strength (526.2 MPa) and elastic modulus (100.2 GPa). Results show that press-drawing is an important step to produce superior CNT sheets for development of high-performance CNT composites.     

利用铜基底增强化学镀法制备金纳米颗粒/石墨烯复合薄膜

采用电泳沉积技术在铜基底表面制备了石墨烯(GNS)薄膜,进而利用氯金酸水溶液与铜基底之间的电置换反应在GNS薄膜表面沉积金纳米颗粒,从而得到金纳米颗粒/石墨烯(Au/GNS)复合薄膜.通过原子力显微镜(AFM),场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)X射线衍射(XRD)等测试手段对样品进行厚度,微观结构和化学成分分析,研究了不同置换反应时间对所得复合薄膜形貌和结构的影响,并分析了复合薄膜的沉积机理.     

Inkjet printing of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polymer composite thin film for interconnection

In this paper, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) ink was selectively patterned by inkjet printing on substrates to form conductive traces and electrodes for interconnection application. MWCNT was firstly functionalized using concentrated acid and dispersed in deionized water to form a colloidal solution. Various concentrations of MWCNT were formulated to test the stability of the solution. The printability of the MWCNT ink was examined against printing temperature, ink concentration and ink droplet pitch. Rheological properties of the ink were determined by rheometer and sessile drop method. The electrical conductivity of the MWCNT pattern was measured against multiple printing of MWCNT on the same pattern (up to 10 layers). While single layer printing pattern exhibited highest resistance, the CNT entangled together and formed a random network with more printed layers has higher conductivity. The electrical properties of the printed film was compared to a composite ink of CNT and conducting polymer (CNT ink was mixed with conductive polymer solution, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-Poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the surface structure and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphology of the printed film under different conditions.     

Optimization of the chemical vapor deposition process for fabrication of carbon nanotube/Al composite powders

In order to optimize the chemical vapor deposition process for fabrication of carbon nanotube/Al composite powders, the effect of different reaction conditions (such as reaction temperature, reaction time, and reaction gas ratio) on the morphological and structural development of the powder and dispersion of CNTs in Al powder was investigated using transmission electron microscope. The results showed that low temperatures (500-550 °C) give rise to herringbone-type carbon nanofibers and high temperatures (600-630 °C) lead to multi-walled CNTs. Long reaction times broaden the CNT size distribution and increase the CNT yield. Appropriate nitrogen flow is preferred for CNT growth, but high and low nitrogen flow result in carbon nanospheres and CNTs with coarse surfaces, respectively. Above results show that appropriate parameters are effective in dispersing the nanotubes in the Al powder which simultaneously protects the nanotubes from damage.     

Electrochemical preparation and electrochemical behavior of polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composite films

Polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composite films were electrochemically deposited in the presence of an ionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), acting as both supporting electrolyte and dispersant. The effects of the surfactant and the MWNT concentrations on the structure of the resulting composite films were investigated. The electrochemical behavior of the resulting polypyrrole/MWNT composite film was investigated as well by cyclic voltammogram. The effect of the additional alternating electric field applied during the constant direct potential electrochemical deposition on the morphology and electrochemical behavior of the resulting composite film was also investigated in this study.     

Preparation,characterization and properties of polycaprolactone diol-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube/thermoplastic polyurethane composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were chemically functionalized to prepare thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) composites with enhanced properties. In order to achieve a high compatibility of functionalized MWCNTs with the PU matrix, polycaprolactone diol (PCL), as one of PU’s monomers, was selectively grafted on the surface of MWCNTs (MWCNT–PCL), while carboxylic acid groups functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT–COOH) and raw MWCNTs served as control. Both MWCNT–COOH and MWCNT–PCL improved the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PU matrix and interfacial bonding between them at 1 wt% loading fraction. The MWCNT–PCL/PU composite showed the greatest extent of improvement, where the tensile strength and modulus were 51.2% and 33.5% higher than those of pure PU respectively, without sacrificing the elongation at break. The considerable improvement in both mechanical properties and thermal stability of MWCNT–PCL/PU composite should result from the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT–PCL in the PU matrix and strong interfacial bonding between them.     

Lotus root-like porous carbon nanofiber anchored with CoP nanoparticles as all-pH hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts

The development of highly active and cost-effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is of vital importance to addressing global energy issues. Here, a three-dimensional interconnected porous carbon nanofiber (PCNF) membrane has been developed and utilized as a support for active cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanoparticles. This rationally designed self-supported HER catalyst has a lotus root-like multichannel structure, which provides several intrinsic advantages over conventional CNFs. The longitudinal channels can store the electrolyte and ensure fast ion and mass transport within the catalysts. Additionally, mesopores on the outer and inner carbon walls enhance ion and mass migration of the electrolyte to HER active CoP nanoparticles, thus shortening the ion transport distance and increasing the contact area between the electrolyte and the CoP nanoparticles. Moreover, the conductive carbon substrate provides fast electron transfer pathways by forming an integrated conductive network, which further ensures fast HER kinetics. As a result, the CoP/PCNF composites exhibit low onset-potentials (?20, ?91, and ?84 mV in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, 1 M PBS, and 1 M KOH, respectively). These findings show that CoP/PCNF composites are promising self-supporting and high-performance all-pH range HER catalysts.

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Fabrication of alizarin red S/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites and their application in hydrogen peroxide detection

In this work, an easy and effective method to synthesize alizarin red S/multi-walled carbon nanotube (ARS/MWCNT) nanocomposites based on the π–π stacking non-covalent interactions between ARS and MWCNTs was introduced. The characters of ARS/MWCNT nanocomposites were investigated by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and electrochemical techniques. ARS tightly coating on MWCNTs surface makes the nanocomposites good dispersibility in water and excellent electrochemical activity. Because of the combination of the excellent electroactivity of ARS and the unique properties of MWCNTs, ARS/MWCNT nanocomposites-modified glassy carbon electrode exhibits a good response to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and takes on a promising prospect of the practical application in electrochemical sensors field.     

Direct measurements of interfacial shear strength of multi-walled carbon nanotube/PEEK composite using a nano-pullout method

This paper presents a proposal of a simple and easy method to evaluate the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of CNT-dispersed polymer composites. An individual multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) was pulled out from a MWNT-dispersed/PEEK composite using a nano-pullout testing system installed in an SEM. The tensile load was measured using the elastic deformation of an AFM cantilever. The pull-out length was controlled by making a through-thickness hole near the specimen edge using a focused ion beam (FIB) system. The IFSS of a MWNT/PEEK composite was measured as 3.5-14 MPa, which agrees with the IFSS estimated from the macroscopic stress-strain behavior of the MWNT/PEEK composites.     

Mechanical properties of cross-ply and quasi-isotropic composite laminates processed using aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy prepreg

This study examined the processing and mechanical properties of cross-ply and quasi-isotropic composite laminates processed using aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy prepreg sheets. Three kinds of CNT/epoxy laminates, ([0°/90°]s, [60°/0°/?60°]s, [0°/45°/90°/?45°]s) were successfully fabricated using aligned CNT/epoxy prepreg sheets. The CNT volume fraction was approximately 10%. No visible void or delamination was observed in composite laminates, and the thickness of each layer was almost equal to that of the prepreg. To evaluate the elastic moduli, E₁₁, E₂₂, and G₁₂, of each ply in the laminates, on-axis and off-axis tensile tests (0°, 45°, 90°) were conducted of aligned CNT/epoxy lamina specimens. The Young’s modulus of CNT/epoxy cross-ply and quasi-isotropic laminates agreed with the theoretical values, which were calculated using classical laminate theory and elastic moduli of CNT/epoxy lamina. The respective failure strains of [0°/90°]s, [60°/0°/?60°]s, and [0°/45°/90°/?45°]s laminates are 0.65, 0.92, 0.63%, which are higher than that of 0° composite lamina (0.5%). Results suggest that the failure strain of 0° layer in composite laminates is improved because of the other layers.     

Formation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a metal-free chemical vapor deposition and their stepwise evolution

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and one-dimensional wire-like nanostructures have been synthesized using acetylene as carbon sources with a metal-free mild chemical vapor deposition process. It shows that anisotropic carbon nanostructures can interact to form nanotubes by self-function. Furthermore, the detailed microscopic observation of the obtained nanostructures indicates that the development of fully hollow carbon nanotubes should undergo a quite complex physical and chemical transformation process, and their formation abides by the “particle-wire-tube” stepwise evolution mechanism. In this process, the one-dimensional wire-like nanostructures can be viewed as the intermediate stages of carbon nanotube formation, which record traces about nanotube evolution.     

Evaluation of sulfur and multi-walled carbon nanotube composite synthesized by dissolution and precipitation for Li/S batteries

An elemental sulfur and multi-walled carbon nanotube (S-MWNT) composite was synthesized by dissolving sulfur in ammonium sulfides and then precipitating on MWNT. Morphology observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that S-MWNT product was successfully prepared by incorporating sulfur into MWNT network. Without additional conducting material, the S-MWNT composite cathodes were prepared for electrochemical tests. The properties measured in discharge-charge cycling test showed that the composite had the initial discharge capacity of 1024 mAh g(-1), which is about 61% sulfur utilization. However, in the subsequent cycling, the capacities faded. To determine the reason of rapid capacity drop, S-MWNT composite cathodes were compared in the cycling tests with varying three kinds of electrolytes and the cathode was subjected to physical force by rolling. The changes in the cycle performances proved that the deterioration of S-MWNT composite cathodes was not related to the electrolytes but to physical bonding that may not maintain the conducting path between sulfur and MWNT.     

溶液共混法制备碳纳米管/尼龙66复合材料及其性能

采用溶液共混法, 将不同质量分数的羧基化多壁碳纳米管(CMWNTs) 加入聚己二酸己二胺(PA66) 中, 制得CMWNTs/PA66复合材料, 对复合材料的结晶及热性能进行了分析。结果表明: 加入CM2WNTs后, CMWNTs/PA66复合材料的熔点随着CMWNTs含量的增大基本不变, 但是结晶度略有增大, 结晶温度逐渐升高; CMWNTs对PA66结晶的晶型没有影响, 偏光显微镜观测发现添加CMWNTs使晶粒尺寸减小, 碳纳米管的异相成核剂作用明显。CMWNTs与PA66分子链之间主要是范德华力和氢键作用, 未能证实两者之间存在化学键。添加 CMWNTs使复合材料的开始分解温度和最大分解温度略有升高。碳纳米管对分解过程中产生的自由基的强烈吸附作用延缓了分解速率。