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School of Materials Science and Engineering

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search.filters.applied.f.advisor: Kumar, Satish × End date: 2004 × Start date: 2001 × search.filters.applied.f.isOrgUnitOfPublicationTitle: College of Engineering ×

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Studies on Single Wall Carbon Nanotube and Polymer Composite Films and Fibers
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004-12-01) Zhang, Xiefei
    Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have been extensively studied over the last decade due to their excellent comprehensive properties for a variety of applications. This study is focused on the applications of SWNTs as reinforcement for polymer matrices. Due to van der Waal interactions, SWNTs form bundles of about 30 nm diameters. In order to take full advantage of the SWNT mechanical properties, SWNT must exfoliate or at least disperse in small diameter bundle size. Optical microscopy and SEM only give qualitative information of dispersion. Quantitative characterization through TEM or AFM can be time consuming in order to get statistical result. In this study, simple method is developed to quantitatively estimate the size of SWNT bundle in dispersion based on the geometry controlled electrical percolation behavior. The SWNTs can be dispersed /exfoliated via PVP wrapped SWNT aqueous dispersion assisted by surfactants such as sodium dodycel sulfate. PVA / SWNT composite films prepared through PVP wrapped SWNTs exhibit improved mechanical properties as well as the evidence of load transfer from the polymer matrix to the SWNT as monitored by the Raman spectroscopy. SWNT can also be well dispersed into PVA/DMSO/H2O solution. Gel spinning of PVA/SWNT composite fiber has been successfully carried out with improved mechanical properties. Functionalized tubes can be used to enhance SWNT dispersion and exfoliation. Oxidation in strong acids is one method used for functionalizing nanotubes. SWNTs have been functionalized in nitric acid. The structure and properties of films (buckypaper) processed from nitric acid functionalized tubes have been studied exhibiting high tensile strength and high electrical conductivity. Nitric acid treatment results in selective degradation of the small diameter tubes.
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    Single Wall Carbon Nanotube/Polyacrylonitrile Composite Fiber
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004-11-01) Liang, Jianghong
    Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs), discovered in 1993, have good mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is an important fiber for textiles as well as a precursor for carbon fibers. PAN has been produced since 1930s. In this study, we have processed SWNT/PAN fibers by dry-jet wet spinning. Purified SWNT, nitric acid treated SWNTs, and benzonitrile functionalized SWNTs have been used. Fiber processing was done in Dimethyl Formamide (DMF) and coagulation was done in DMF/water mixture. The coagulated fibers were drawn (draw ratio of 6) at 95 oC. Structure, orientation, and mechanical properties of these fibers have been studied. The cross-sections for all the fibers are not circular. Incorporation of SWNT in PAN results in improved mechanical properties, tensile modulus increased from 7.9 GPa for control PAN to 13.7 GPa for SWNT/PAN composite fiber, and functionalized SWNTs result in higher improvements with tensile modulus reaching 17.8 GPa for acid treated SWNT/PAN composite fibers. The theoretical analysis suggests that observed moduli of the composite fibers are consistent with the predicted values.
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    Light Scattering Study on Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWNT) Dispersions
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004-04-12) Wang, Tong
    Carbon nanotubes, and particularly single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have attracted much attention for their unique structure, as well as for their excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Most properties of carbon nanotubs are closely related with its anisotropic structure and geometry factor. Characterization of carbon nanotube length is critical for understanding their behavior in solutions as well as in polymer composites. Microscopy, particularly atomic force microscopy, has been used for their length measurement. Microscopy, though straightforward, is quite laborious, particularly for statistically meaningful sampling. Light scattering can be used to measure particle dimensions. In this study, light scattering has been used to study polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) wrapped SWNTs surfactant assisted aqueous dispersion and SWNT dispersion in oleum. To determine the length of SWNTs, Stokes - Mueller formalism was used, which is a universal model for particles with any size and shape. The Mueller matrix for an ensemble of long, thin cylinders proposed by McClain et al. was used in this study. This Mueller matrix includes the information of size (length and radius) and optical constants (refractive index and extinction coefficient) of cylinders. In this matrix, extinction coefficient, radius and length of SWNTs are unknown. By normalizing scattering intensity I(theta) (theta from 30 to 155 degree) to that at 30degree , the effects of radius and extinction coefficient were cancelled out. Thus, the effect of SWNT length on scattering intensity could be studied independently. A series of curves of normalized scattering intensity of SWNTs (I(theta) /I(30degree)) with varied length as a function of wave vector were predicted. A curve of normalized scattering intensity of SWNT as a function of wave vector was also obtained experimentally. By comparing experimental and predicted curves, average SWNT length in the dispersion has been determined. Scattering intensity at a given angle initially increases with concentration, and then reaches a critical concentration(C*), above which the scattering intensity decreases. This phenomenon has been attributed to the competition between scattering and absorption of light by the presence of SWNT. By using Beer-Lambert law, this phenomenon has been used to determine the molar absorption coefficient of SWNTs.
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