Search

Inspired by the excellent mechanical reinforcement effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the strong interactions between metal ions and graphene oxide (GO), ultra-robust, and high-toughness GO papers were fabricated via the synergistic reinforcement of CNTs and copper ions (Cu2+). The freestanding and flexible CNT/GO nanocomposite papers with a layered structure were readily fabricated by the vacuum-assisted filtration. After being cross-linked by a trace amount of copper ions (Cu2+), the tensile strength, elastic modulus and toughness of the modified GO papers increase 409.7%, 81.5% and 188.2%, respectively, when compared with the pure GO papers. It is revealed by scanning electron microscope and in situ Raman spectroscopy analysis that the CNTs and Cu2+ hindered the interlayer slippage between the GO sheets and promoted the stress transfer during the tensile loading. Considering the tunable and versatile properties of this hybrid carbon nanomaterial, this study will open an avenue for integrating rGO or GO papers to various applications. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buckypaper (BP) is a planar film that consists of random network of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) held together by weak van der Waals interactions at tube-tube junctions. Although individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess remarkable electrical properties, the electrical resistance of pristine BP is usually too high for practical applications. However, the electrical resistivity of BP can be attenuated by applying modest compressive stresses. Herein, we report an analytical model for predicting the electrical resistivity of BP under defined level of compressive strain. The predictive piezoresistive model of BP was developed by formulating a direct relationship with the structural parameters, physical and electrical properties of CNTs. The basis of the piezoresistive model relied upon the geometrical probability approach in combination with classical Hertzian contact mechanics and constriction resistance techniques. A comparison has been made between the theoretical and experimental results of electrical resistivity of BPs with varying densities. A reasonably good quantitative agreement was obtained between the theory and experiments. The main source of error was caused by the uncertainty in the measurement of the initial BP thickness. Through theoretical modeling, the initial volume fraction of CNTs was found to be one of the key parameters that modulated the piezoresistive behavior of BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The commercially available copy papers and pure papers have been adopted to synthesize carbon nanomaterials. It is found that carbon nanocoils (CNCs) are efficiently synthesized on the copy paper substrates using Fe2(SO4)3/SnCl2 catalyst by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method, while only carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are obtained on the pure paper substrate using the same process. It is evidenced that the particles of calcium carbonate existing in copy paper aggregate catalyst and adsorb more sulfur elements which promote the growth of CNCs. In addition, CNCs can successfully grow out from the pure paper by adding calcium carbonate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon nanotube papers have many potential applications from actuators to electrodes. Cross-linked papers with embedded nanoparticles are now being investigated for use in these applications. Here we report on the development of piezoelectric multi-walled carbon nanotube paper. The piezoelectric effect of the paper was enhanced by four orders of magnitude by embedding zinc oxide nanoparticles into the carbon nanotube network, resulting in a simple method for producing flexible piezoelectric carbon nanotube paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) paper is a promising candidate for novel applications in energy storage systems such as electrical batteries, supercapacitors and multi-layered composites where the material undergoes deformation mechanisms. In particular, the strength of graphene oxide paper is critical in such applications and is defined by the interaction between the GO sheet constituents of the paper. The deformation behavior and tensile strength of focused ion beam (FIB) fabricated GO micro-beams was measured using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). GO sample deformation and failure was dependent on both the size of the micro-beams and the environmental testing conditions. Specifically, the failure stress of GO paper micro-beams tensile tested in air was found to increase when compared to testing in vacuum. This environmental dependent tensile strength of GO paper is attributed to water promoting stress transfer between GO sheets within the paper for higher strength during air testing while vacuum conditions remove water, leading to poor stress transfer between GO sheets for lower tensile strength results. A two-parameter Weibull distribution is introduced to quantify the micro-beam size dependent strength, which is attributed to interfacial defects determining GO paper failure strength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon nanotube papers (CNT papers, also referred to as “buckypapers”) prepared from chemically functionalized single-walled CNTs are being investigated for their mechanical tensile properties. While the Young’s moduli are unaffected by the functionalization with diazonium salts of aniline or aromatic mono- and bis-amides tensile strengths of CNT papers are found to increase with a growing degree of functionalization, and more pronounced with a growing number of amide groups capable of hydrogen bonding. The importance of hydrogen bonding becomes evident after its inhibition through N-methylation of the amide groups, resulting in a distinct reduction of strength values. Scanning electron micrography indicates that a high degree of functionalization or a high number of amide group results in the formation of domains with aligned CNTs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study explores the possibility of converting a self-supporting, randomly aligned, low impedance multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) paper into a resistive temperature measurement unit working at ambient pressure in air in the 25–70°C range. Thermosensitization was achieved by decorating the surface of the films with pyroelectric CsNO3 or LiNbO3 crystals. Assuming a linear temperature response, temperature coefficient of resistance values of −0.158%°C−1 and −0.246%°C−1 were calculated for CsNO3 and LiNbO3 doped films, respectively. The corresponding temperature measurement accuracies (2.2°C and 3.0°C) are acceptable for some applications but the precision of the temperature measurement needs to be improved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]