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Showing papers on "Fiber published in 2001"


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2001-Polymer
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of two of the most important processing parameters, spinning voltage and solution concentration, on the morphology of the fibers formed were evaluated systematically, and it was found that spinning voltage is strongly correlated with the formation of bead defects in the fibers, and that current measurements may be used to signal the onset of the processing voltage at which the bead defect density increases substantially.

2,684 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical review on the physical and chemical treatment methods that improve the fiber-matrix adhesion and their characterization methods is given, as well as a detailed characterization of these methods.
Abstract: An Important aspect with respect to optimal mechanical performance of fiber reinforced composites in general and durability in particular is the optimization of the interfacial bond between fiber and polymer matrix. The quality of the fiber-matrix interface is significant for the application of natural fibers as reinforcement for plastics. Since the fibers and matrices are chemically different, strong adhesion at their interfaces is needed for an effective transfer of stress and bond distribution throughout an Interface. A good compatibilization between cellulose fibers and non-polar matrices is achieved from polymeric chains that will favor entanglements and interdiffiusion with the matrix. This article gives a critical review on the physical and chemical treatment methods that improve the fiber-matrix adhesion and their characterization methods.

1,071 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the state-of-the-art knowledge on structure formation of fibers and films via the NMMO-route comprising the cellulose-NMMO-water phase system, the state of solution, the dry jet-wet shaping, the precipitation, and the drying stages.

861 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Min Zhi Rong1, Ming Qiu Zhang1, Yuan Liu1, Gui Cheng Yang1, Han Min Zeng1 
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of unidirectional sisal-reinforced epoxy composites was investigated, and the relationship between optimized fiber treatment and performance improvement of sisal composites is proposed.

860 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the tensile and flexural properties of natural and synthetic fiber-reinforced composite materials are compared. And the results show that the properties exhibited by both the natural-and synthetic fiber reinforced composites can be combined through the production of hybrid composite materials.
Abstract: Triglyceride oils derived from plants have been used to synthesize several different monomers for use in structural applications. These monomers have been found to form polymers with a wide range of physical properties. They exhibit tensile moduli in the 1–2 GPa range and glass transition temperatures in the range 70–120 °C, depending on the particular monomer and the resin composition. Composite materials were manufactured utilizing these resins and produced a variety of durable and strong materials. At low glass fiber content (35 wt %), composites produced from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil by resin transfer molding displayed a tensile modulus of 5.2 GPa, a flexural modulus of 9 GPa, a tensile strength of 129 MPa, and flexural strength of 206 MPa. At higher fiber contents (50 wt %) composites produced from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil displayed tensile and compression moduli of 24.8 GPa each, and tensile and compressive strengths of 463.2 and 302.6 MPa, respectively. In addition to glass fibers, natural fibers such as flax and hemp were used. Hemp composites of 20% fiber content displayed a tensile strength of 35 MPa and a tensile modulus of 4.4 GPa. The flexural modulus was ∼2.6 GPa and the flexural strength was in the range 35.7–51.3 MPa, depending on the test conditions. The flax composite materials had tensile and flexural strengths in the ranges 20–30 and 45–65 MPa, respectively. The properties exhibited by both the natural- and synthetic fiber-reinforced composites can be combined through the production of “hybrid” composites. These materials combine the low cost of natural fibers with the high performance of synthetic fibers. Their properties lie between those displayed by the all-glass and all-natural composites. Characterization of the polymer properties also presents opportunities for improvement through genetic engineering technology. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 703–723, 2001

604 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The process outlined herein provides a convenient, non-toxic,non-denaturing approach for the generation collagen-containing nanofibers and non-woven fabrics that have potential application in wound healing, tissue engineering, and as hemostatic agents.
Abstract: Type I collagen-PEO fibers and non-woven fiber networks were produced by the electrospinning of a weak acid solution of purified collagen at ambient temperature and pressure. As determined by high-resolution SEM and TEM, fiber morphology was influenced by solution viscosity, conductivity, and flow rate. Uniform fibers with a diameter range of 100-150 nm were produced from a 2-wt% solution of collagen-PEO at a flow rate of 100 μl min-1. Ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus of the resulting non-woven fabrics was dependent upon the chosen weight ratio of the collagen-PEO blend. 1H NMR dipolar magnetization transfer analysis suggested that the superior mechanical properties, observed for collagen-PEO blends of weight ratio 1 : 1, were due to the maximization of intermolecular interactions between the PEO and collagen components. The process outlined herein provides a convenient, non-toxic, non-denaturing approach for the generation collagen-containing nanofibers and non-woven fabrics that have potent...

520 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 2001-Carbon
TL;DR: In this article, a series of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were produced by treatment with ammonia to yield a basic surface and the micropore sizes of these chemically modified fibers were determined with nitrogen adsorption experiments and they were shown to increase with increasing activation time and temperature.

452 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the ability to control the fiber diameter of poly(glycolic acid) as a function of solution concentration and fiber orientation was demonstrated, as well as a correlation between the fiber orientation, elastic modulu, and strain to failure of PGA in uniaxial model.
Abstract: Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) has long been a popular polymer in the tissue engineering field. PGA possesses many favorable properties such as biocompatibility, bioabsorbability, and tensile strength. The traditional fiber formation techniques of melt extrusion and cold-drawing are generally limited to fibers of 10–12 μm in diameter. Electrostatic spinning, or electrospinning, is an attractive approach for the production of much smaller diameter fibers which are of interest as tissue engineering scaffolds. We demonstrate the ability to control the fiber diameter of PGA as a function of solution concentration and fiber orientation, as well as show a correlation between the fiber orientation, elastic modulu, and strain to failure of PGA in a uniaxial model.

445 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a single fiber pullout test was used to measure the bond properties of polyvinyl alcohol fibers that are available at various diameters in a mortar matrix, and the small diameter fibers ruptured during the pullout tests.
Abstract: A single fiber pullout test was used in this study to measure the bond properties of polyvinyl alcohol fibers that are available at various diameters in a mortar matrix. Despite short fiber embedment lengths, the small diameter fibers ruptured during the pullout tests. However, it is shown that even if full fiber pullout is not achieved, it is still possible to determine a chemical debonding energy, Gd, and an initial interfacial frictional bond strength, τ0. Despite high Gd values, the fibers did not rupture during the fiber chemical debonding process, but during fiber pull-out, a strong slip-hardening effect, characterized by the high values of the slip-hardening coefficient, β, induced severe abrasion damage visible under scanning electron microscope on the fiber surface. As a consequence, when the fiber apparent tensile strength was exceeded, fibers ruptured by delamination. Finally, an attempt was made to lower the values of the bond properties to minimize fiber rupture during pullout. This goal was ...

384 citations


Reference BookDOI
31 May 2001
TL;DR: In this article, the essential principles, operating characteristics, and current technology of the main fiber laser and amplifier devices based on rare earth-doped silica and fluorozirconate fibers are discussed.
Abstract: Rare-Earth-Doped Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers, Second Edition discusses the essential principles, operating characteristics, and current technology of the main fiber laser and amplifier devices based on rare-earth-doped silica and fluorozirconate fibers. Covering all aspects of this revolutionary technology, the book reviews fiber fabrication methods and the basic spectroscopic properties of rare-earth ions in glasses, concentrates on the most important fiber laser sources, examines several advances in fiber amplifiers, and analyzes new findings and improvements in single-frequency operation, frequency tenability, broadband fiber sources, and blue-green and far-infrared fiber lasers.

320 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors were able to produce highly structured submicrometer fibers by electrospinning from ternary solutions using polylactide and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as polymer model components.
Abstract: The aim was to prepare fibers with diameters below the micrometer range characterized by specific bulk morphologies and surface topologies Such materials are of interest for various applications including reinforcement, sensors or filtration as well as the formation of functional tubes by the use of fiber templates We were able to manufacture highly structured submicrometer fibers by electrospinning from ternary solutions using polylactide (PLA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as polymer model components Co-continuous phase morphologies resulted from phase separation processes taking place during fiber formation In a subsequent step, specific surface topologies or fine pores were generated by selective removal of one of the components

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, for the first time to our knowledge, the excellent optical performance of long-period gratings written in three standard fibers and in two nonstandard fibers using the flexible and low-cost electric arc technique was reported.
Abstract: We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the excellent optical performance of long-period gratings written in three standard fibers and in two nonstandard fibers, namely, S-doped and N-doped fibers, using the flexible and low-cost electric arc technique The fundamental mechanism for their formation is proposed The grating thermal behavior and the effect of fiber preannealing prior to writing have been investigated We have demonstrated a good stability of these gratings at high temperatures

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive study on the development of nanofiber-reinforced polymer composites for electrostatic discharge materials and structural composites is presented, where the authors used a model fiber system for carbon nanotubes to provide an open network of high-purity nanofibers.
Abstract: This article is portion of a comprehensive study on the development of nanofiber-reinforced polymer composites for electrostatic discharge materials and structural composites. Vapor-grown carbon fibers with an average diameter of 100 nm were used as a precursor and model fiber system for carbon nanotubes. These nanofibers were purified and functionalized to provide for an open network of high-purity nanofibers. Banbury-type mixing was used to disperse the nanofibers in the polymer matrix. Rheological and microscopic analysis showed that the high shear processing of the polymer/nanofiber mixture led to a homogeneous dispersion of nanofibers with no agglomerates present and no shortening of the nanofibers. The shear thinning behavior of polymeric materials helps in the mixing of the nanofibers to form the composites. A percolation threshold for electrical conduction of 9–18 wt % was observed for the highly dispersed nanofiber networks. The electrical behavior of these materials was not affected by changes in humidity. Microscopic analysis showed highly dispersed nanofibers with no indications of porosity. These conducting polymers are well suited for electrostatic discharge applications, and might well become multifunctional materials for strength/electrical applications. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1162–1172, 2001

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Repeated stretching and relaxing of the fiber in the absence of egg extract showed that the loss of histone octamers was irreversible, comparable to forces reported for RNA- and DNA-polymerases.
Abstract: Single chromatin fibers were assembled directly in the flow cell of an optical tweezers setup. A single λ phage DNA molecule, suspended between two polystyrene beads, was exposed to a Xenopus laevis egg extract, leading to chromatin assembly with concomitant apparent shortening of the DNA molecule. Assembly was force-dependent and could not take place at forces exceeding 10 pN. The assembled single chromatin fiber was subjected to stretching by controlled movement of one of the beads with the force generated in the molecule continuously monitored with the second bead trapped in the optical trap. The force displayed discrete, sudden drops upon fiber stretching, reflecting discrete opening events in fiber structure. These opening events were quantized at increments in fiber length of ∼65 nm and are attributed to unwrapping of the DNA from around individual histone octamers. Repeated stretching and relaxing of the fiber in the absence of egg extract showed that the loss of histone octamers was irreversible. The forces measured for individual nucleosome disruptions are in the range of 20–40 pN, comparable to forces reported for RNA- and DNA-polymerases.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2001-Polymer
TL;DR: In this article, a dynamic FT-IR spectroscopy was applied to study the mechanical interactions among cellulose, xylan and glucomannan in spruce wood fibers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the inorganic hollow fiber membranes were prepared by spinning a polymer solution containing suspended aluminum oxide (Al2O3) powders to a hollow fiber precursor, which is then sintered at elevated temperatures.

Journal ArticleDOI
Hua Zheng1, Yumin Du1, Jiahui Yu1, Ronghua Huang1, Lina Zhang1 
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of coagulation solution composition on the spinning performance was discussed and the intermolecular interactions of blend fibers were studied by infrared analysis (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and by measurements of mechanical properties and water-retention properties.
Abstract: Chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) blend fibers were prepared by spinning their solution through a viscose-type spinneret at 25°C into a coagulating bath containing aqueous NaOH and ethanol. The influence of coagulation solution composition on the spinning performance was discussed, and the intermolecular interactions of blend fibers were studied by infrared analysis (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and by measurements of mechanical properties and water-retention properties. The results demonstrated that the water-retention properties and mechanical properties of the blend fibers increase due to the presence of PVA in the chitosan substract, and the mechanical strength of the blends is also related to PVA content and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan. The best mechanical strength values of the blend fibers, 1.82 cN/d (dry state) and 0.81 cN/d (wet state), were obtained when PVA content was 20 wt % and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan was 90.2%. The strength of the blend fibers, especially wet tenacity could be improved further by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. The water-retention values (WRV) of the blend fibers were between 170 and 241%, obviously higher than pure chitosan fiber (120%). The structure analysis indicated that there are strong interaction and good miscibility between chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) molecular resulted from intermolecular hydrogen bonds. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2558–2565, 2001

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to study the surface chemical compositions of cellulosic fibers before and after treatments.
Abstract: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques were used to study the surface chemical compositions of cellulosic fibers before and after treatments. The fibers were treated with phthalic anhydride and maleated polypropylene for surface modifications. Both XPS and FTIR spectroscopy analysis indicated that chemical bonds between hydroxyl groups of cellulosic fibers and anhydride moieties of phthalic anhydride and maleated polypropylene have occurred through esterification reaction. These chemical reagents have been added to the surface of cellulosic fibers in the form of monoester, i.e., the formation of esterified cellulosic fibers bearing a pendent carboxylic group.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported a self-frequency shift of more than 20% of the optical frequency in a tapered air-silica microstructure fiber that exhibits a widely flattened large anomalous dispersion in the near infrared.
Abstract: We report a soliton self-frequency shift of more than 20% of the optical frequency in a tapered air–silica microstructure fiber that exhibits a widely flattened large anomalous dispersion in the near infrared. Remarkably, the large frequency shift was realized in a fiber of length as short as 15 cm, 2 orders of magnitude shorter than those reported previously with similar input pulse duration and pulse energies, owing to the small mode size and the large and uniform dispersion in the tapered fiber. By varying the power of the input pulses, we generated compressed sub-100-fs soliton pulses of ∼1‐nJ pulse energy tunable from 1.3 to 1.65 μm with greater than 60% conversion efficiency.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a preliminary optical fiber reactor (OFR) that employs bare quartz fibers as a light-transmitting support of TiO2 was tested for gas treatment by investigating photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in air.
Abstract: A preliminary optical fiber reactor (OFR) that employs bare quartz fibers as a light-transmitting support of TiO2 was tested for gas treatment by investigating photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in air (50–750 ppmv). Using one or four TiO2-coated fibers in a continuous flow photoreactor, a steady-state conversion up to 80% was achieved at ambient temperature and pressure. The kinetic behavior of the acetone conversion in this study could be described by zero-order kinetics. The characteristics of coated-optical fibers were quantitatively analyzed and their use in photocatalytic gas treatment was discussed in detail. All the acetone molecules degraded was quantitatively converted to CO2 with no intermediates detected. No noticeable deactivation was observed within a few hours’ operation under the present experimental conditions. The conversion of acetone linearly increased with the incident light intensity without showing any sign of saturation. The transmitted light intensity through a TiO2-coated optical fiber exponentially decreased along the fiber, showing 90% extinction within 30 cm. The photocatalytic conversion measured as a function of the coated-fiber length showed a similar trend. An optimal coating thickness was found at around 1.5m above which the photocatalytic efficiency was reduced. The presence of water vapor reduced the reactivity due to the competitive adsorption on active surface site with acetone. While a measurable conversion of acetone was observed in the absence of O2, increasing O2 concentration up to 15% effectively enhanced the conversion. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple method was used to assemble single-walled carbon nanotubes into indefinitely long ribbons and fibers, which can be strongly bent without breaking, and their obtained elastic modulus is 10 times higher than the modulus of high-quality bucky paper.
Abstract: A simple method was used to assemble single-walled carbon nanotubes into indefinitely long ribbons and fibers. The processing consists of dispersing the nanotubes in surfactant solutions, recondensing the nanotubes in the flow of a polymer solution to form a nanotube mesh, and then collating this mesh to a nanotube fiber. Flow-induced alignment may lead to a preferential orientation of the nanotubes in the mesh that has the form of a ribbon. Unlike classical carbon fibers, the nanotube fibers can be strongly bent without breaking. Their obtained elastic modulus is 10 times higher than the modulus of high-quality bucky paper.

Patent
09 Mar 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, a low density additive of volcanic ash, hollow ceramic microspheres or a combination of microsphere and volcanic ash or other low density additives into cementitious cellulose fiber reinforced building materials is described.
Abstract: This invention relates to a formulation with the addition of low density additives of volcanic ash, hollow ceramic microspheres or a combination of microspheres and volcanic ash or other low density additives into cementitious cellulose fiber reinforced building materials. This formulation is advantageously lightweight or low density compared as compared to current fiber cement products without the increased moisture expansion and freeze-thaw degradation usually associated with the addition of lightweight inorganic materials to fiber cement mixes. The low density additives also give the material improved thermal dimensional stability.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of fiber surface modifications like dewaxing, methyl methacrylate grafting on the thermal and electrical properties of coir (coconut) and sisal fibers has been investigated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the fabrication and initial testing of a novel optically interrogated, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor in which the entire MEMS structure is fabricated directly on an optical fiber and a new micromachining process for use on a flat fiber end face that includes photolithographic patterning, wet etching of a cavity and anodic bonding of a silicon diaphragm is utilized.
Abstract: We describe the fabrication, and initial testing of a novel optically interrogated, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor in which the entire MEMS structure is fabricated directly on an optical fiber A new micromachining process for use on a flat fiber end face that includes photolithographic patterning, wet etching of a cavity, and anodic bonding of a silicon diaphragm is utilized. We have employed both 200- and 400-/spl mu/m-diameter multimode optical fibers. A pressure sensor fabricated on an optical fiber has been tested displaying an approximately linear response to static pressure (0-80 psi). This sensor is expected to find application in situations where small size is advantageous and where dense arrays may be useful.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a family of oxide fibers, Nextel™ 610, 650 and 720, was developed specifically for the reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites, and the strength of both single filaments and multi-filament rovings of Nextel610, 650, and 720 fibers was determined between 25 and 250mm gauge length.
Abstract: A family of oxide fibers, Nextel™ 610 Ceramic Oxide Fiber, Nextel™ 720 Ceramic Oxide Fiber and a new fiber, Nextel™ 650 Ceramic Oxide Fiber, has been developed specifically for the reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites. This paper summarizes room and high temperature properties for these fibers. The strength of both single filaments and multi-filament rovings of Nextel 610, 650 and 720 fibers was determined between 25 and 250 mm gauge length. Weibull analysis was used to compare the statistical fracture distribution and gauge length dependence of strength. Fiber fracture statistics were in accord with Weibull theory; the effect of diameter variability on the statistical analysis was found to be small. Fractographic analysis on Nextel 610 fiber was used to identify primary fracture-causing defects; defect size was correlated with Griffith fracture predictions. High temperature single filament strength measurements were performed on Nextel 610, 650 and 720 fibers between 800 and 1400°C. High temperature strength varied inversely with strain rate. In combination with tensile creep tests at 1100 and 1200°C, these were used to compare the elevated temperature capability of each fiber and determine maximum use temperatures. The development of crystalline yttrium aluminum garnet fibers that demonstrate further improvements in creep performance relative to Nextel 720 fibers is also discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, various hygroscopic effects of such parameters as hygrothermal temperature, matrix volume ratio, void volume ratio (Vv), specimen thickness, lay-up sequence and internal stress were investigated for epoxy/carbon fiber composite laminates.
Abstract: In this study, various hygroscopic effects of such parameters as hygrothermal temperature, matrix volume ratio (Vm), void volume ratio (Vv), specimen thickness, lay-up sequence and internal stress were investigated for epoxy/carbon fiber composite laminates. The specimen thickness and lay-up sequence had little effect on the through-the-thickness water absorption behavior of composite laminates, but the other parameters affected the moisture absorption rate and equilibrium water uptake in different ways and intensities. The glass transition temperature of composite laminates was strongly affected and linearly decreased by the quantity of equilibrium water uptake. A characteristic length of moisture migration through the unidirectional laminates was proposed as a function of fiber angle to the exposed laminate surface. In this approach, the fibers imbedded in the matrix were assumed to act as a barrier to the penetrating water molecules, and the developed model was well compared with the experimental results.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify and quantify the effect of numerous variables on the performance of fiber-stabilized sand specimens and identify an optimum fiber length of 51 mm (2 in.) for reinforcement of sand specimens.
Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to identify and quantify the effect of numerous variables on the performance of fiber-stabilized sand specimens. Laboratory unconfined compression tests were conducted on sand specimens reinforced with randomly oriented discrete fibers to isolate the effect of each variable on the performance of the fiber-reinforced material. Five primary conclusions were obtained from this investigation. First, the inclusion of randomly oriented discrete fibers significantly improved the unconfined compressive strength of sands. Second, an optimum fiber length of 51 mm (2 in.) was identified for the reinforcement of sand specimens. Third, a maximum performance was achieved at a fiber dosage rate between 0.6 and 1.0% dry weight. Fourth, specimen performance was enhanced in both wet and dry of optimum conditions. Finally, the inclusion of up to 8% of silt does not affect the performance of the fiber reinforcement.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of thermal exposure on mechanical properties (tenacity) as well as on fiber fine structure (degree of polymerization and degree of crystallinity) of jute and flax fibers were studied in detail.
Abstract: The thermal degradation of jute and flax fibers under temperatures between 170 and 210°C for a maximum of 120 min was studied in detail. This article will analyze the effects of the thermal exposure on mechanical properties (tenacity) as well as on fiber fine structure (degree of polymerization and degree of crystallinity). It was found that temperatures below 170°C only slightly affects fiber properties, while temperatures above 170°C significantly dropped tenacity and degree of polymerization. Because of chain scissions, a slight increase in degree of crystallinity was observed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1417–1422, 2001

Patent
28 Dec 2001
TL;DR: In this article, a method for purifying a mixture comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon contaminate is presented, which includes the steps of heating the mixture under oxidizing conditions, followed by recovering a product comprising at least about 80% by weight of single wall carbon carbon.
Abstract: A method for purifying a mixture comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon contaminate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of heating the mixture under oxidizing conditions sufficient to remove the amorphous carbon, followed by recovering a product comprising at least about 80% by weight of single-wall carbon nanotubes. A method for producing tubular carbon molecules of about 5 to 500 nm in length is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of cutting single-wall nanotube containing-material to form a mixture of tubular carbon molecules having lengths in the range of 5-500 nm and isolating a fraction of the molecules having substantially equal lengths The nanotubes may be used, singularly or in multiples, in power transmission cables, in solar cells, in batteries, as antennas, as molecular electronics, as probes and manipulators, and in composites.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide-6/clay nanocomposites are compared to those of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composite in terms of heat distortion temperature, tensile and flexural strength and modulus without sacrificing their impact strength.