title: Enhancement of the mechanical properties of directly spun CNT fibers by chemical treatment.
abstract: Translating the remarkable mechanical properties of individual carbon nanotubes to macroscopic assemblies presents a unique challenge in maximizing the potential of these remarkable entities for new materials. Infinitely long individual nanotubes would represent the ideal molecular building blocks; however, in the case of length-limited nanotubes, typically in the range of micro- and millimeters, an alternative strategy could be based on the improvement of the mechanical coherency between bundles assembling the macroscopic materials, like fibers or films. Here, we present a method to enhance the mechanical performance of fibers continuously spun from a CVD reactor, by a postproduction processing methodology utilizing a chemical agent aided by UV irradiation. The treatment results in an increase of 100% in specific strength and 300% in toughness of the fibers with strength values rocketing to as high as 3.5 GPa SG(-1). An attempt has been made to explore the nature of the chemical modifications introduced in the fiber and the consequential effects on its properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Slawomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boncel
authors.forename: Rajyashree M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Sundaram
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Windle
authors.forename: Krzysztof K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Koziol
mesh_terms: D019245:Compressive Strength; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006244:Hardness; D008422:Materials Testing; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D012399:Rotation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon