Lab talk
Aug 24, 2011
Maximizing carbon nanotube enhancement in composites
Strong interfacial interactions between carbon nanotubes and polymers are key to delivering high-performance nanocomposites. One option is to use complex chemical treatments to tailor the surface properties of the nanotubes and induce covalent type bonding, but researchers in China have found another promising route to enhanced interfacial adhesion. The scientists are investigating the use of interfacial crystallization or interfacial non-covalent interactions.
It has been shown that the stiff ordering polymer layer, which coats CNTs and arises from a heterogeneous nucleation effect, could play a positive role. In the study, interfacial enhancement is realized through conventional processing, such as injection molding or melt-spinning, which offers the potential for practical application.
The group, which is based in the college of Polymer Science and Engineering at Sichuan University, reports the results of a non-covalent interaction induced by a strain field, which gives a dramatic improvement in mechanical strength.
The study suggests a new, promising pathway to attaining CNT composites with ultrahigh mechanical properties via a simple and highly efficient melt-spinning process.
Further details can be found in the journal Nanotechnology.
About the author
This work was conducted by Qiang Fu’s group in the College of Polymer Science and Engineering at Sichuan University, China. Prof. Qiang Fu is head of this research team, and is guiding the study of novel strategies to realize the interfacial enhancement of polymer-based nanocomposites via interfacial crystallization, supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China. Associate Prof. Ke Wang is group leader and he has a strong interest in the preparation and properties of nanocomposites. Jinghui Yang, PhD is currently exploring how to realize interfacial enhancements in polymer/CNTs composites.
