Abstract
A series of flattened-nanotube reinforced thermoplastic composites are sizably fabricated as a function of buckypaper loading. The effects of the volume fraction, nanotube alignment and length on the tensile performance of the composites are factored into a general expression. The incorporation of self-reinforcing polyphenylene resin (Parmax) into a highly aligned buckypaper frame at an optimal weight ratio boosts the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the buckypaper/Parmax composite to 1145 MPa and 150 GPa, respectively, far exceeding those of Parmax and aligned buckypaper individually. The composite also exhibits improved thermal (>65 W/m-K) and electrical (~700 S/cm) conductivities, as well as high thermoelectric power (22 μV/K) at room temperature. Meanwhile, the composite displays a heterogeneously complex structure. The hexyl groups of Parmax noncovalently interact with the honeycomb structure of the flattened nanotube through π-stacking and CH-π interaction, correspondingly improving the dispersity of polymer on the nanotube surface and the interfacial stress transferring while the high alignment degrees of nanotube facilitate phonon and charge transport in the composites.
Highlights
The quest for structural materials that are multifunctional and lightweight is important for future technological and engineering advances
When 45 wt% carbon nanotube (CNT) is added to the Parmax (45BPmx), the conductivity increases to 78.7 S/ cm, improved approximately 14 orders of magnitude compared to that of the neat Parmax
For the composite 60BPmx, the conductivity climbs to 698.5 S/cm, significantly higher than that of the composites containing low CNT content by using the regular mixing dispersion approach[18]
Summary
The quest for structural materials that are multifunctional and lightweight is important for future technological and engineering advances. Composites using un-oriented CNTs dispersed in polymers exhibit only marginal tensile property improvements at low CNT content[2]. Performance of CNT composites critically depends on the effectiveness of the interfacial stress transfer, which, in turn, depends on the nature and strength of the nanotube/matrix interface. Nature offers a great structure source for templates of multifunctionality Many biological materials such as shells of abalones, cortical bone and nacre, are ingeniously produced as lightweight, strong, and high-performance materials with many exceptional functionalities[11]. This is exemplified by nacre (mother of pearl), which consists of high inorganic content (almost 95 vol % calcium carbonate) and low elastic biopolymer proteins. The platelet-shaped aragonite crystals and proteins are layered into a “brick-and-mortar” structure, which is the key to nacre’s outstanding mechanical properties
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
