title: Synergistic toughening of composite fibres by self-alignment of reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes.
abstract: The extraordinary properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes motivate the development of methods for their use in producing continuous, strong, tough fibres. Previous work has shown that the toughness of the carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer fibres exceeds that of previously known materials. Here we show that further increased toughness results from combining carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide flakes in solution-spun polymer fibres. The gravimetric toughness approaches 1,000 J g(-1), far exceeding spider dragline silk (165 J g(-1)) and Kevlar (78 J g(-1)). This toughness enhancement is consistent with the observed formation of an interconnected network of partially aligned reduced graphene oxide flakes and carbon nanotubes during solution spinning, which act to deflect cracks and allow energy-consuming polymer deformation. Toughness is sensitive to the volume ratio of the reduced graphene oxide flakes to the carbon nanotubes in the spinning solution and the degree of graphene oxidation. The hybrid fibres were sewable and weavable, and could be shaped into high-modulus helical springs.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio-Artificial Muscle and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Kyoon
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Bommy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shi Hyeong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Geoffrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Spinks
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gambhir
authors.forename: Gordon G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Mikhail E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kozlov
authors.forename: Ray H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Baughman
authors.forename: Seon Jeong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010087:Oxides; D011108:Polymers; D002244:Carbon; D006108:Graphite; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid