Chapter 35 - Synthesis of Hybrid Carbon Nanotube Yarn and Sheet and Their Applications

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a new class of material with a variety of unique properties such as high strength and high specific surface area. When used in conventional fields, CNT materials may revitalize the area and open up new opportunities. The chapter discussed how CNT yarn and sheet can change the areas of water treatment and composite materials. When used in water purification, CNT sheet demonstrated removal of lead and natural organic matter. Combining conventional filter material with CNT sheet improves filtration performance and reduces the amount and cost of CNT used. When incorporated in laminated composite materials, CNT sheet can improve in-plane electric conductivity, while CNT yarn can improve through-the-thickness electric conductivity and tear strength. Furthermore, electrically conductive composite structures might one day partially replace copper wiring in aircraft. Reducing the use of copper wires will decrease the empty weight of aircraft, which will reduce fuel burn, reduce operating cost, and reduce pollution. Experiments using 3% volume fraction of stitching (using Dyneema in place of CNT yarn) mostly eliminated the G1C fracture mode. Thus by stitching through the thickness with CNT thread and using in-plane CNT sheet, composites will have increased in-plane and out-of-plane electric conductivity, and the G1C and interlaminar shear failure modes will be reduced. This makes laminated composites more multifunctional like metals.