Processing-Structure-Property Relationships in Polymer/Boron Nitride Nanotube Composite Fibers for Electronic...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) offer excellent electrical insulation and thermal conductivity.
• Developing aligned BNNT structures in polymers is crucial for advanced composite materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between processing, structure, and properties of polymer/BNNT fibers.
• To optimize the alignment and preservation of long BNNTs within a polymer matrix.

Main Methods:

• A sonication-centrifuge procedure was used to prepare the polymer/BNNT dispersion.
• Dry-jet wet spinning with controlled air gap, followed by cold and hot drawing, was employed.
• Internal structural changes in PAN/BNNT fibers were mapped.

Main Results:

• The sonication-centrifuge method preserved longer BNNTs and improved alignment.
• High orientation of BNNTs was achieved through optimized spinning and drawing stages (25x draw ratio).
• The developed fibers exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical insulation.

Conclusions:

• Scalable methods for producing aligned BNNT polymer fibers were established.
• These fibers are suitable for creating high-performance, thermally conductive, and electrically insulating composites for electronics.
• The approach can also be adapted for producing neat BNNT fibers.