Carbon Nanotube Composites Research Articles

Characterization of Bismuth Composited to Carbon Nanotube-Coated Titanium Cathode in Electro-Fenton System

Bismuth (Bi) is a highly reactive catalyst for the generation of hydroxyl (∙OH) radicals. Cathodes constructed from composites of Bi and carbon nanotube (CNT) exhibit high stability and low resistance, which enhance their electron transfer capability. In this work, a titanium substrate was coated with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT/Ti) using electrophoretic deposition process, followed by electrodeposition of Bi onto the MWCNT-coated Ti (Bi/MWCNT/Ti). The effects of Bi electrodeposition time on the surface morphology of Bi/MWCNT/Ti cathodes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the electrochemical characteristics of each cathode were identified via a series of electrochemical analyses further. The results demonstrated that electrodeposition at −0.85 V vs. Ag/AgCl for 5 min revealed uniform distribution of dense Bi across the surface of cathode, which provides better hydrophilicity for cathode and promotes highest electron transfer rates, respectively; when the Bi/MWCNT/Ti cathode was used as an electro-Fenton (EF) cathode, the EF system achieved a rhodamine B degradation rate of 80.8% after 30 min, which is a significant increase (83.63%) than the unmodified Ti cathode. The use of Bi in EF cathodes improves the efficiency of the EF process.

Stability of the Photoluminescent Response on Hydroxyapatite/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites

The application of hydroxyapatite (HAp)/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites in the medical area as coatings in prosthetics has been widely used because the carbon nanotubes reinforce the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite. Despite that, their photoluminescent properties have not been studied, nor has the effect of different amounts of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on this property or what happened with their response with time. This work demonstrated that the photoluminescent response of HAp and HAp/multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with oxygen groups (OMWCNT) composites was stabilized over time. The evaluated parameters were: three different amounts of OMWCNT (15, 25, and 35 mg) and two different thermal treatment temperatures (250 and 400 °C); all the samples were measured twice, after preparation and over a year after. The results indicated that over time the photoluminescent response is stabilized due to the passivation of surface defects, independently of the amount of OMWCNT used and the thermal treatment. In the end, the photoluminescent properties of these composites will extend their utilization in the medical area or open the door to new applications.

Microneedles coated with composites of phenylboronic acid-containing polymer and carbon nanotubes for glucose measurements in interstitial fluids

A microneedle (MN) sensor coated with a sensing composite material was proposed for measuring glucose concentrations in interstitial fluid (ISF). The sensing composite material was prepared by blending a polymer containing glucose-responsive phenylboronic acid (PBA) moieties (i.e., polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamidophenylboronic acid)) with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The polymer exhibited reversible swelling behavior in response to glucose concentrations, which influenced the distribution of the embedded CNTs, resulting in sensitive variations in electrical percolation, even when coated onto a confined surface of the MN in the sensor. We varied the ratio of PBA moieties and the loading amount of CNTs in the sensing composite material of the MN sensor and tested them in vitro using an ISF-mimicking gel with physiological glucose concentrations to determine the optimal sensitivity conditions. When tested in animal models with varying blood glucose concentrations, the MN sensor coated with the selected sensing material exhibited a strong correlation between the measured electrical currents and blood glucose concentrations, showing accuracy comparable to that of a glucometer in clinical use.

Theoretical Prediction of Electrical Conductivity Percolation of Poly(lactic acid)-Carbon Nanotube Composites in DC and RF Regime.

Polymer composites based on polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with 0.25-5 wt.% of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by melt blending. The static (DC) and microwave (RF) electrical conductivity have been investigated on the PLA-CNT composites. The electrical percolation threshold has been theoretically determined using classical models of percolation in order to predict the conductivity of the different nanocomposites. Through the fitting process, it has been found that the percolation threshold is obtained at 1 wt.% of CNTs in the DC regime and reached below 0.25 wt.% of CNTs in the microwave regime. Among the Mamunya, McLachlan, or GEM models, the McCullough model remarkably fits the experimental DC and RF electrical conductivities. The obtained results are correlated to the electrical properties of a range of CNT-based composites, corresponding to the percolation threshold required for a three-dimensional network of CNTs into the polymer matrix.

Hydrogen storage behavior of zeolite/graphene, zeolite/multiwalled carbon nanotube and zeolite/green plum stones-based activated carbon composites

In this study, novel zeolite/carbon composites were synthesized to determine hydrogen storage properties. Activated carbon (AC), graphene (GR) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were used as carbon sources in the preparation of the composites with faujasite type zeolite. AC was prepared from green plum stones by using ultrasound assisted chemical activation with the use of potassium hydroxide. In order to compare the textural and hydrogen storage properties of the prepared zeolite/activated carbon, zeolite/graphene and zeolite/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites were prepared from commercial GR and MWCNT, respectively. The structures of the obtained AC and composite samples were characterized using BET, DFT, t-plot and SEM-EDX techniques. AC was synthesized with a relatively high BET surface area (1694 m2/g), total pore volume (1.023 cm3/g) and micropore volume (0.780 cm3/g). Zeolite/activated carbon composite (ZAC) has the highest surface area, total pore volume and micropore volume, and zeolite/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite (ZNT) has the highest average pore width (6.64 nm) among all composite samples. Hydrogen sorption processes have been performed for composite samples at −196 °C and ambient pressure. The relationship between hydrogen sorption capacities, BET surface areas and pore volumes of ZAC, ZGR and ZNT composites have been investigated. The hydrogen storage capacity of the ZAC was found to be 1.3 wt%. This value is 1.47 times the hydrogen storage capacity of AC and 4.16 times the hydrogen storage capacity of zeolite. Results indicated that ZAC is a promising adsorbent for hydrogen storage.

Molecular Dynamics Modeling for the Determination of Elastic Moduli of Polymer-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites.

The use of carbon nanotubes to improve the mechanical properties of polymers is one of the promising directions in materials science. The addition of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to a polymer results in significant improvements in its mechanical, electrical, optical, and structural properties. However, the addition of SWCNTs does not always improve the polymer properties. Also, when a certain content of SWCNTs is exceeded, the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite become worse. This article reports the results of computer simulations for predicting the mechanical properties of polymer/single-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites. The efficiency of reinforcing polymer composites is considered depending on the concentration of carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix, their size, and structure. The elastic moduli of the nanocomposites are predicted using computer simulations for unit cell tension (0.1%). General trends in the mechanical properties of composites with polypropylene (PP), poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA), polystyrene (PS) matrices, and SWCNTs are shown.

Adsorptive removal of diclofenac sodium from aqueous solution by highly efficient metal organic framework (UiO-66)/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite.

In the current study, synthesis and use of a novel adsorbent (composite in nature) are presented for treatment of one of the most commonly found pharmaceutical compound, viz, diclofenac sodium (DCF) in waste water. Synthesis of the composite adsorbent was done by hydrothermal method metal organic framework (MOF) based on Zr metal and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The composite adsorbent is termed as UiO-66/MWCNT. The confirmation of successful synthesis of the adsorbent is done with the help of sophisticated characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, zeta potential analyser, and SEM. The synthesized composite adsorbent is found to have good adsorption capacity for DCF. The experiments related to the process of adsorption were done in batch mode and the significance of various operating parameters affecting the specific uptake of DCF. Maximum adsorption is observed at 3 pH (acidic condition) when the initial concentration of DCF and adsorbent dose was 30 mg/L and 100 mg/L, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm model best describes the process of adsorption with a maximum adsorption capacity of 256.41 mg/g. Experimental results obtained through the studies conducted related to the kinetics displayed that the process followed pseudo-second order model, and intraparticle studies suggested that diffusion through pores controls the rate. Thermodynamic studies suggest that the adsorption of DCF on UiO-66/MWCNT was completely spontaneous with ΔH = -22.089 kJ/mol. The possible mechanism for the adsorptive removal of DCF through UiO-66/MWCNT as found from this study is electrostatic interaction.

Tensile properties of flexible carbon nanotube film/PVA composite at various strain rates

AbstractThe quasi‐static tensile properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) composites have already been extensively studied, while their impact tensile properties under high rates have rarely been investigated. In this work, CNT film/PVA composites were prepared by impregnation and hot press curing, whereas CNT films were prepared by floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD). Instron 3365 and the miniaturized split Hopkinson tensile bar (SHTB) were used for tensile tests at various strain rates. The results show that the tensile properties of PVA‐impregnated CNT film are significantly improved, and the strain rate effect is remarkable. The tensile properties are best when the mass fraction of PVA is 1.5%. At a low strain rate of 0.001 s−1, the maximum stress and energy absorption (EA) of CNT composites are 502.5 MPa and 63.6 MJ/m3, respectively. And at the high strain rate of 3100 s−1, the maximum stress and EA of CNT composites are 969.0 MPa and 166.4 MJ/m3, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the failure morphologies at tensile fracture of composites under different strain rates. At low strain rate, the failure mode is the pulling fracture of tube bundles and the crushing of polymers, while at high strain rate is the folding and spring back of tube bundles, as well as the debonding of polymers.

Room temperature operated flexible La-ZnO/MWCNTs sensor for ppb level carbon monoxide detection

The advancement of gas sensors with ppb level concentration experiences profound challenges. In this research, Lanthanum (La)-Zinc Oxide (ZnO)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites were successfully fabricated and loaded on a flexible polyimide substrate where interdigitated electrodes (thickness: 300 µm and spacing: 300 µm) were prepared using a laser carbonation technique for room temperature (RT) carbon monoxide (CO) gas detection. The synthesized composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, UV–visible spectrophotometry, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. When compared to the La-ZnO composite, the addition of MWCNTs on the synthesized composite-based sensor exhibited ∼8 times higher response than La-ZnO to 100 ppm CO at 27 °C. The response of the La-ZnO/MWCNTs composite sensors to 20 ppm CO was tested at six different relative humidity (RH) levels ranging from 0% to 90% in the increments of 20% RH. These sensors exhibited humidity tolerant properties, as evidenced by their responses to different humidity levels. Even when exposed to 90% RH, the sensor only showed ∼13% reduction in response compared to 0% RH, indicating that it is a humidity tolerant sensor. Furthermore, the La-ZnO/MWCNTs sensor has excellent selectivity and can detect low CO concentrations of 100 ppb. As a result, the proposed high-performance flexible sensor has a lot of potential for use in wearable devices to sense CO gas at RT for trace level detection.

Lightweight foam-like nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube complex achieving highly efficient electromagnetic wave absorption

With the increased electromagnetic wave (EMW) threat to military and human health, the development of EMW-absorbing materials is crucial. Metal-organic framework derivatives containing magnetic nanoparticles and a carbon matrix are potential candidates for designing efficient EMW-absorbing materials. Herein, a zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67)-embedded three-dimensional melamine foam is pyrolyzed to afford carbon foam-based nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube composites, named 3D foam-like CoO/Co/N–CNTs. Magnetic CoO/Co particles are confined in the dielectric carbon nanotube skeleton. The carbon nanotubes provide considerable conductive loss, while CoO/Co magnetic particles are conducive to providing magnetic loss and adjusting impedance matching. Moreover, the numerous defect structures introduced by heteroatomic doping (nitrogen) cause dipole polarization and simultaneously adjust impedance matching. Meanwhile, the unique porous nanotube structure promotes multiple reflections and scattering of EMWs, further optimizing impedance matching. CoO/Co/N–CNTs composites exhibit a minimum reflection loss of −52.3 dB at a matching thickness of 2.0 mm, while the corresponding effective absorption bandwidth is 5.28 GHz at a matching thickness of 2.2 mm. This study reports a novel approach to fabricating a lightweight high-performance EMW-absorbing material.

Adoptive transfer of Fe3O4-SWCNT engineered M1-like macrophages for magnetic resonance imaging and enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Macrophage-based tumor immunotherapy can effectively kill tumor cells in a direct manner when tumor specific antigens are idle or unknown. However, the presence of M2-like tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) would limit the treatment efficiency. Therefore, reversing the M2-like TAMs phenotype to regulate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Herein, we proposed nano-sized ferroferric oxide/single wall carbon nanotubes composites (Fe3O4-SWCNT) to engineer the macrophages species for powerful cancer therapy. The synthesized Fe3O4-SWCNT revealed good magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performance, which enabled in vivo tracking of macrophage mediated immunotherapy. In addition, Fe3O4-SWCNT engineered M1-like macrophages (Fe3O4-SWCNT@M1) could maintain M1 phenotype, migrate to tumor cells and release nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). A series of experimental results showed that Fe3O4-SWCNT@M1 could effectively promote the polarization of endogenous M2-like macrophages to M1-like macrophages, activate tumor immune response and inhibit tumor progression. This work is expected to provide a new vision for macrophage-based tumor immunotherapy.

Change of Conduction Mechanism in Polymer/Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Composites upon Introduction of Ionic Liquids and Their Investigation by Transient Absorption Spectroscopy: Implication for Thermoelectric Applications.

Polymer composites based on polycarbonate (PC) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) filled with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs, 0.5-2.0 wt %) were melt-mixed to investigate their suitability for thermoelectric applications. Both types of polymer composites exhibited positive Seebeck coefficients (S), indicative for p-type thermoelectric materials. As an additive to improve the thermoelectric performance, three different ionic liquids (ILs), specifically THTDPCl, BMIMPF6, and OMIMCl, were added with the aim to change the thermoelectric conduction type of the composites from p-type to n-type. It was found that in both composite types, among the three ILs employed, only the phosphonium-based IL THTDPCl was able to activate the p- to n-type switching. Moreover, it is revealed that for the thermoelectric parameters and performance, the SWCNT:lL ratio plays a role. In the selected systems, S-values between 61.3 μV/K (PEEK/0.75 wt % SWCNT) and -37.1 μV/K (PEEK/0.75 wt % SWCNT + 3 wt % THTDPCl) were reached. In order to shed light on the physical origins of the thermoelectric properties, the PC-based composites were studied using ultrafast laser time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). The TAS studies revealed that the introduction of ILs in the developed PC/CNT composites leads to the formation of biexcitons when compared to the IL-free composites. Moreover, no direct correlation between S and exciton lifetimes was found for the IL-containing composites. Instead, the exciton lifetime decreases while the conductivity seems to increase due to the availability of more free-charge carriers in the polymer matrix.

ZnO/f-MWCNT as a potential candidate for supercapacitive energy storage and piezoelectric energy generation

Zinc oxide/ functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (ZnO/f-MWCNT) composite was synthesized in two simple steps. In the first step, MWCNT was functionalized using acid refluxing method and in the second step, ZnO/f-MWCNT composite was synthesized in situ via hydrothermal route. Next, possibility of the ZnO/f-MWCNT composite as a hybrid energy storage device was explored through detailed electrochemical and other required investigations. Aiming to real-life applications, a symmetric supercapacitor device was also fabricated followed by detailed performance evaluation. In the last part, energy harvesting possibilities of the ZnO/f-MWCNT composite through the fabrication of a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) was also explored. To do so, ZnO/f-MWCNT/ polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite films with varying wt% of the filler (i.e. ZnO/f-MWCNT) were prepared. The structural, morphological, compositional, electrochemical and electrical attributes of both the materials were thoroughly investigated. Highest specific capacitance obtained from this ZnO/f-MWCNT electrode was 794 F/g (at 1 A/g) with a power density of 4152 W/kg (at 50 A/g). The PENG device yielded an open circuit voltage of ∼80 V with a power density of 72 kW/m3.

Strength and Electrical Properties of Cementitious Composite with Integrated Carbon Nanotubes

The main objective of this work was to study the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the strength and electrical properties of cement mortar. Molecular dynamic simulations (MDSs) were carried out to determine the mechanical and electrical properties of a cementitious composite and its associated mechanisms. To model the atomic structure of a calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, tobermorite 11Å was chosen. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) embedded in a tobermorite structure were tested numerically. In particular, it was concluded that a piezoelectric effect can be effectively simulated by varying the concentration levels of carbon nanotubes. The deformation characteristics were analyzed by subjecting a sample to an electrical field of 250 MV/m in the z-direction in a simulation box. The results indicated a progressively stronger converse piezoelectric response with an increasing proportion of carbon nanotubes. Additionally, it was observed that the piezoelectric constant in the z-direction, denoted by d33, also increased correspondingly, thereby validating the potential for generating an electrical current during sample deformation. An innovative experiment was developed for the electrical characterization of a cementitious composite of carbon nanotubes. The results showed that the electrostatic current measurements exhibited a higher electric sensitivity for samples with a higher concentration of CNTs.

Fabrication and electrochemical properties of electrode composites for oxide-type all-solid-state batteries through electrostatic integrated assembly

All-solid-state batteries, which use flame-resistant solid electrolytes, are regarded as safer alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries for various applications including electric vehicles. Herein, we report the fabrication of cathode composites for oxide-type all-solid-state batteries through an electrostatic assembly method. A polyelectrolyte is used to adjust the surface charge of the matrix particles to positive/negative, and the aggregation resulting from electrostatic interactions is utilized. Composites consisting of cathode active material particles (LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) or LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO)), solid electrolyte particles Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP), and electron conductive one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNT) are formed via an electrostatic integrated assembly of colloidal suspensions. Electrostatic integration increases the electronic conductivity by two orders of magnitude in the NMC–LATP–CNT composite (6.5 × 10−3 S cm−1/3.2 × 10−5 S cm−1) and by six orders of magnitude in the LNMO–LATP–CNT composite (6.4 × 10−3 S cm−1/2.3 × 10−9 S cm−1). The dispersion of CNTs in the cathode composite is enhanced, resulting in percolation of e− path even at 1 wt% (approximately 2.5 vol%) CNT. This study indicates that an integrated cathode composite can be fabricated with particles uniformly mixed by electrostatic interaction for oxide-type all-solid-state batteries.

Long-lifespan sodium ion capacitors enabled by in-situ electrochemically induced graphitization and rearrangement of carbon layers in Fe2O3@C modified vertical-aligned carbon nanotubes

Developing high-capacity anodes with fast kinetics and stable structure is critical for the effective implementation of sodium ion capacitors (SICs). In this study, Fe2O3@C nanoparticles modified vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) composites are designed and employed as SIC anodes through a two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process with the aid of a refined Fe3O4/AlOx dispersion catalyst. With nano-sized Fe2O3 coated with defected carbon layers sufficiently loading onto the VACNTs substrates, the resulting composites demonstrate remarkable sodium storage properties, with a high areal specific capacity (1.26 mAh cm−2 at 0.2 mA cm−2) and rate performance (0.19 mAh cm−2 at 5.0 mA cm−2). Moreover, continuous capacity promotion is observed over 1000 cycles, leading to superior cycling performance (0.444 mAh cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2), with 178% retention after 1000 cycles. This improved cycling performance is attributed to the defective structure and high specific surface area of the VACNTs, which accommodates the volume change of the Fe2O3 particles. In addition, the induced locally graphitization and rearrangement of the carbon layers are demonstrated, which results in better kinetics for Na+ transfer, further enhancing capacity retention over long cycles.

One-pot fabrication of magnetic adsorbent based on polymeric ionic liquid/aminated carbon nanotubes composite for efficient capture of synthetic auxins in complex samples prior to chromatographic analysis.

Efficient enrichment is a challenging and indispensable step in the quantification of polar synthetic auxins in complex samples. In the current study, a new magnetic adsorbent based on polymeric ionic liquid/aminated carbon nanotube composite was fabricated with a one-pot precipitation copolymerization strategy and employed as the extraction phase of magnetic solid phase extraction of synthetic auxins. Various characterization techniques were utilized to inspect the morphology, structure, magnetic property, and functional groups of the prepared adsorbent. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained adsorbent displayed satisfactory capture performance towards studied auxins through multiple interactions. Adsorption studies evidenced that the adsorption procedure of the developed method towards analytes was fit for the Freundlich adsorption model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Combining with high-performance liquid chromatography, sensitive and reliable method for the identification and quantification of trace synthetic auxins in environmental water and fruit juice samples was developed. The obtained limits of detection for water and fruit juice samples located in the ranges of 0.0059-0.013 and 0.018-0.031μg/L, respectively. Recoveries in actual samples with different fortified contents varied from 82.2% to 117%, with satisfactory reproducibility. The results will evidence that the introduced extraction technique is a useful alternative for the entrapment of trace synthetic auxins from complex samples.

Multifunctional MXene–Fe3O4–Carbon Nanotube Composite Electrodes for High Active Mass Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Ti3C2Tx–Fe3O4–carbon nanotube composites were prepared for electrochemical energy storage in the negative electrodes of supercapacitors. The electrodes show a remarkably high areal capacitance of 6.59 F cm−2 in a neutral Na2SO4 electrolyte, which was obtained by the development of advanced nanofabrication strategies and due to the synergistic effect of the individual components. Enhanced capacitance was achieved using the in-situ synthesis method for the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The superparamagnetic behavior of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles facilitated the fabrication of electrodes with a reduced binder content. Good mixing of the components was achieved using a celestine blue co-dispersant, which adsorbed on the inorganic components and carbon nanotubes and facilitated their co-dispersion and mixing. The capacitive behavior was optimized by the variation of the electrode composition and mass loading in a range of 30–45 mg cm−2. An asymmetric device was proposed and fabricated, which contained a Ti3C2Tx–Fe3O4–carbon nanotube negative electrode and a polypyrrole–carbon nanotube positive electrode for operation in an Na2SO4 electrolyte. The asymmetric supercapacitor device demonstrated high areal capacitance and excellent power-density characteristics in an enlarged voltage window of 1.6 V. This investigation opens a new avenue for the synthesis and design of MXene-based asymmetric supercapacitors for future energy storage devices.

Fabrication of CuTNPc/MWCNTs composites by in-situ solvothermal method for efficient selective oxidation of styrene

The tetranitro-copper phthalocyanine/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CuTNPc/MWCNTs) composites have been successfully fabricated by a straightforward in-situ solvothermal approach. The as-prepared CuTNPc/MWCNTs composites can be used as effective catalysts for the styrene catalytic oxidation to benzaldehyde. Effects of solvent type, oxidant type, catalyst dose, and reaction temperature on catalytic performance are investigated. It can be found that the CuTNPc/MWCNTs composites showed significant catalytic oxidation of styrene activity. Under the optimal conditions of 0.3 g styrene, 20 mg CuTNPc/MWCNTs, 3 mL TBHP as oxidant, and 5 mL THF at 90 ℃ for 6 h, the styrene conversion, and benzaldehyde selectivity could reach 99.74% and 79.53%, respectively. In addition, the possible reaction mechanism of styrene selective oxidation to benzaldehyde by CuTNPc/MWCNTs is also proposed.

Carbon Nanotube Composites Manufactured by Filament Wind Processing for Electrothermal Deicing Application

Carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are proven to be versatile tools in many fields by virtue of the multifunctional response. However, the severe challenge in mass production of CNT-based composites has become a bottleneck in both the science and engineering. To tackle the issues, herein, we reported an effective approach toward preparing densified and highly orientated CNT yarn/PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) composites via pultrusion and filament wind processing. In this processing, CNT yarn with a diameter of 150 μm, produced by twisting the CNT film directly, was dipped into PVA polymer solution and then continuously winded on a mandrel after squeezed by a pultrusion mold with a diameter of 120 μm. As a result, the pultruded CNT yarn/PVA winding composites (named as P-CNTY-WC), with the densified and aligned CNT yarn showed a considerable tensile strength (708.38 MPa). Furthermore, its toughness was 109.92 MJ m–3, much higher than those of the reported high-performance fiber reinforced composites. Additionally, the P-CNTY-WC possessed high electrical conductivity (207 S cm–1) and thus exhibited a rapid electrothermal performance (reached to 221 °C at 1.5 V within 30 s). In view of the high electrical performances, the electrothermal deicing application in the aircraft wing was demonstrated. Thereby, the facile way and attractive properties could provide insights into massive production of high-performance structural composites with multifunctional applications.