Optimization of Buckypaper-enhanced Multifunctional Thermoplastic Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Thermoplastic composites are crucial for advanced applications.
• Enhancing mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of composites remains a key challenge.
• Flattened nanotubes offer unique structural and electronic properties for reinforcement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize flattened-nanotube reinforced thermoplastic composites.
• To investigate the effects of buckypaper loading, nanotube alignment, and length on composite performance.
• To optimize the composite structure for superior material properties.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composites with varying buckypaper loadings.
• Characterization of tensile performance, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and thermoelectric power.
• Analysis of composite structure and interfacial interactions using concepts like π-stacking and CH-π interaction.

Main Results:

• Optimized buckypaper/Parmax composite achieved tensile strength of 1145 MPa and Young's modulus of 150 GPa.
• Demonstrated improved thermal conductivity (>65 W/m-K) and electrical conductivity (~700 S/cm).
• Exhibited high thermoelectric power (22 μV/K) at room temperature.
• Revealed noncovalent interactions (π-stacking, CH-π) between Parmax and nanotubes, enhancing dispersion and interfacial stress transfer.

Conclusions:

• The buckypaper/Parmax composite significantly outperforms individual components and conventional composites.
• High nanotube alignment is critical for facilitating phonon and charge transport.
• The developed composite shows great potential for applications requiring high performance in multiple properties.