Enhanced mechanical properties of polyacrylonitrile/multiwall carbon nanotube composite fibers.
The use of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as a reinforcing phase in a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber matrix was investigated with the goal of producing a PAN-derived carbon/MWNT composite fiber with enhanced physical properties. MWNTs were dispersed in a PAN/DMAc (dimethylacetamide) solution and spun into composite fibers containing up to 5 wt.% MWNTs, with the use of a lab-scale dry-jet wet spinline. The spinning process resulted in alignment of the MWNTs parallel with the fiber axis. Three types of chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-derived, high-purity MWNTs were used: as produced, graphitized (heat treated to 2800 degrees C), and NaCN-treated (chemically treated to attach CN groups to the nanotube surface). Tensile tests were performed to measure yield stress/strain, initial modulus, break stress/strain, and energy to yield and energy to break. Significant mechanical property increases were recorded for the composite fibers compared with the control samples with no MWNT reinforcement: break strength +31%, initial modulus +36%, yield strength +46%, energy to yield +80%, and energy to break +83%.
University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, Lexington, Kentucky 40511, USA.
M C
MC
Weisenberger
E A
EA
Grulke
D
D
Jacques
T
T
Rantell
R
R
Andrews
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008422:Materials Testing; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013718:Tensile Strength
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; C010504:polyacrylonitrile