Hierarchical agglomerates of carbon nanotubes as high-pressure cushions.
We report the cushioning behavior of highly agglomerated carbon nanotubes. The nanotube agglomerates can be repeatedly compacted to achieve large volume reduction (>50%) and expanded to nearly original volume without structural failure, like a robust porous cushion. At a higher pressure range (10-125 MPa), the energy absorbed per unit volume is 1 order of magnitude higher than conventional cushion materials such as foamy polystyrene. The structure of hierarchical agglomerates can be controlled for tailoring the cushioning properties and obtaining a lower cushioning coefficient (higher energy absorption) over a wide range of pressures (1-100 MPa). The mechanism was studied in terms of morphology evolution of the nanotube aggregates and pore size distribution during compression.
Liu
Yi
Y
Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Qian
Weizhong
W
Zhang
Qiang
Q
Cao
Anyuan
A
Li
Zhifei
Z
Zhou
Weiping
W
Ma
Yang
Y
Wei
Fei
F
D019245:Compressive Strength; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D006244:Hardness; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D011312:Pressure; D013499:Surface Properties
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon