Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

Small but strong: A review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–polymer composites

Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: Chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties

Polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are expected to have good processability characteristics of the polymer and excellent functional properties of the CNTs. The critical challenge, however, is how to enhance dispersion and alignment of CNTs in the matrix. Here, we review recent progress and advances that have been made on: (a) dispersion of CNTs in a polymer matrix, including optimum blending, in situ polymerization and chemical functionalization; and (b) alignment of CNTs in the matrix enhanced by ex situ techniques, force and magnetic fields, electrospinning and liquid crystalline phase-induced methods. In addition, discussions on mechanical, thermal, electrical, electrochemical, optical and super-hydrophobic properties; and applications of polymer/CNT composites are included. Enhanced dispersion and alignment of CNTs in the polymer matrix will promote and extend the applications and developments of polymer/CNT nanocomposites.

Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrix: A review

Owing to their unique mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes are considered to be ideal candidates for polymer reinforcement. However, a large amount of work must be done in order to realize their full potential. Effective processing of nanotubes and polymers to fabricate new ultra-strong composite materials is still a great challenge. This Review explores the progress that has already been made in the area of mechanical reinforcement of polymers using carbon nanotubes. First, the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and the system requirements to maximize reinforcement are discussed. Then, main methods described in the literature to produce and process polymer–nanotube composites are considered and analyzed. After that, mechanical properties of various nanotube–polymer composites prepared by different techniques are critically analyzed and compared. Finally, remaining problems, the achievements so far, and the research that needs to be done in the future are discussed.

Mechanical Reinforcement of Polymers Using Carbon Nanotubes

In this work, multiwalled carbon nanotubes were investigated as potential mechanical reinforcement agents in two hosts, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(9-vinyl carbazole) (PVK). It was found that, by adding various concentrations of nanotubes, both Young’s modulus and hardness increased by factors of 1.8 and 1.6 at 1 wt % in PVA and 2.8 and 2.0 at 8 wt % in PVK, in reasonable agreement with the Halpin–Tsai theory. Furthermore, the presence of the nanotubes was found to nucleate crystallization of the PVA. This crystal growth is thought to enhance matrix-nanotube stress transfer. In addition, microscopy studies suggest extremely strong interfacial bonding in the PVA-based composite. This is manifested by the fracture of the polymer rather that the polymer-nanotube interface.

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Morphological and mechanical properties of carbon-nanotube-reinforced semicrystalline and amorphous polymer composites

Erratum: “Morphological and mechanical properties of carbon-nanotube-reinforced semicrystalline and amorphous polymer composites” [Appl. Phys. Lett. 81, 5123 (2002)]

K. Hedicke

Papers

Morphological and mechanical properties of carbon-nanotube-reinforced semicrystalline and amorphous polymer composites

Erratum: “Morphological and mechanical properties of carbon-nanotube-reinforced semicrystalline and amorphous polymer composites” [Appl. Phys. Lett. 81, 5123 (2002)]