Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes In Polymer Matrices
materials and coatings
Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes In Polymer Matrices (LAR-TOPS-309)
A novel method for producing stable dispersions of single walled carbon nanotubes in polymer matrices
Overview
NASA Langley Research Center has developed a method for stabilizing separated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a selected polymer matrix. This can be applied for a variety of commercially available nanotube types, including single-walled, double walled, few walled and multi-walled. This simple approach is accomplished without damaging the CNTs, enabling mass production of multifunctional nanocomposites. This in turn can provide significant value to a wide variety of potential commercial applications.
The Technology
This process uses dispersive interactions between aromatic moieties in the polymer and the extended pi electron system of the CNT. The interaction between the polymer and nanotubes arises when a spontaneous fluctuation in the electron density distribution of one component induces a dipole moment in the other. This induced dipole on the second components then induces a dipole on the first, resulting in a favorable electrostatic interaction. The magnitude of the dipole that may be induced on a component is proportional to the polarizability of its electron density, and the magnitude of the attraction between the two components is proportional to the product of their polarizabilities.
Benefits
- Produces well-dispersed nanotube nanocomposites with excellent stability
- Significant mechanical, electrical, and dielectric improvements relative to pure polymer systems
Applications
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Microelectronics
