Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) polymer composites & composite fibers

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dc.contributor.advisorTour, James M.en_US
dc.creatorChen, Zheyien_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-03T19:52:49Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-03T19:52:49Zen_US
dc.date.issued2008en_US
dc.description.abstractWith their potentially extraordinary mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT)/polymer composites and composite fibers may be the ultimate building blocks for next generation ultra-light-weight, ultra-high performance structural applications. However, the dispersity and processibility of SWNT in polymer matrices have been a challenge because of the strong van der Waal attraction between individual nanotubes and their chemical inertness. Predicated on oleum's (100% H2SO 4 with excess SO3) ability to intercalate between individual SWNT inside SWNT ropes, two types of reinforcing SWNT with much improved solubility and dispersity in common solvents were developed: supra-roped SWNT (SWNT-R) and soluble, ultra-short (length<60 nm), carboxylated SWNT(US-SWNT). SWNT-R hold much improved dispersity in super acid and other solvents, and can facilitate the processing of SWNT/polylmer composites and composites fibers. US-SWNT exhibit up to 2 wt% solubility in common solvents. The availability of SWNT-R and US-SWNT open the opportunities for forming high performance composites, blends, and copolymers without inhibiting their processibility. Studies on the synthesis, processing, properties, and morphology of SWNT-R or US-SWNT/polymer composites and composite fibers have demonstrated the reinforcement efficacy of these SWNT in typical thermoset, thermoplastic and liquid crystalline polymer matrices. The epoxy composite system reinforced with 0.5--1 wt% of US-SWNT has shown an average 15% increase in tensile modulus and 50% increase in tensile toughness over those of the neat epoxy. A linear rule-of-mixture calculation indicates the high reinforcement efficiency of US-SWNT in epoxy matrix. The calculated SWNT's elastic modulus approaches the theoretical value. This processible and high performance US-SWNT/Epoxy resin may serve as a matrix material for advanced fiber composites. A novel solution-processing method was introduced to achieve good dispersion of SWNT-R or US-SWNT in Nylon (6, 6) matrix. In comparison to neat resin, increase in tensile modulus and glass transition temperature were observed with 5 wt% nanotubes incorporation. However, the tensile toughness was significant decreased. An advanced SWNT-R/US-SWNT poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide(PPTA) composite fiber system was developed to realize the ultimate SWNT properties and make them processible by conventional fiber spinning processes.en_US
dc.format.extent122 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS CHEM. 2009 LEEUWen_US
dc.identifier.citationChen, Zheyi. "Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) polymer composites & composite fibers." (2008) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/22157">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/22157</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/22157en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectPolymer chemistryen_US
dc.titleSingle-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) polymer composites & composite fibersen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentChemistryen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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