Carbon Nanotube- and Nanofibre-reinforced Polymer Fibres

M.S.P. Shaffer, J.K.W. Sandler, S. Pegel, A.H. Windle, F. Gojny, K. Schulte, M. Cadek, W.J. Blau, J. Lohmar and M. van Es
Imperial College, UK

Keywords: nanotubes, nanocomposites, polymer fibers, mechanical properties

Abstract:
A range of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibres were mixed with a polyamide-12 matrix using a twin-screw microextruder, and the resulting blends used to produce a series of reinforced polymer fibres. The aim was to compare the dispersion and mechanical properties achieved for nanofillers produced by different techniques. A high quality of dispersion was achieved for all the catalytically-grown materials and the greatest improvements in stiffness were observed using aligned, substrate-grown, carbon nanotubes. The use of entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes led to the most pronounced increase in yield stress. The degrees of polymer and nanofiller alignment and the morphology of the polymer matrix were assessed using X-ray diffraction and calorimetry.

Nanotech 2004 Conference Technical Program Abstract