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Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application
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Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbon Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 21170

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Antonio Pantano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: computational mechanics; composite materials; mechanical design; numerical methods for engineering; mechanical engineering aspects of micro/nanoscale engineering; non-destructive evaluation; wind turbines; biomimetic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One way to take advantage of the marvelous properties of carbon nanotubes, consists of incorporating them into a matrix to build composite materials. The best candidates for this task are undoubtedly polymers, which, thanks to their strength, toughness, low weight, and easy processing, have been used in a broad variety of industrial application. The extraordinary mechanical properties, together with the high ratios (100–10,000) of the geometric aspect, stiffness-to-weight, and strength-to-weight, all point to carbon nanotubes as potentially ideal reinforcing agents in advanced composites. However, not only the stiffness and strength of the polymer can be improved by adding CNTs, but also the thermal and electrical conductivities, optical properties, toughness, fatigue resistance, and damping characteristics of the formed composites can be enhanced. A few examples of applications of carbon nanotubes enriched with polymer composites that we can mention are the following: aerospace structures, sporting goods, automotive components, medical devices, optical barriers, photovoltaic devices, conducting plastics, materials with high electrostatic dissipation, electromagnetic interference shielding, efficient electrostatic painting of plastics, composite mirrors, plastics with a high thermal dissipation, biomaterial devices, strain sensors, damage sensing, gas sensors, optoelectronics, transparent electronics, and electromechanical actuation.

This interest in the potential has attracted the attention of both industry and academia, which have committed to this research field an impressive amount of work, as the very high number of publications shows. However, before seeing an extensive use of carbon nanotube enhanced polymer composites, there are a few difficult challenges that need to be addressed, in particular, it is important to consider the following: to develop inexpensive mass production techniques for CNTs, to be able to accurately control their geometrical features (like diameter, length, and chirality), to achieve the ability to disperse the CNTs homogeneously throughout the matrix, and to efficiently transfer the mechanical load from the matrix to the CNTs.

In this Special Issue, modern trends in carbon nanotube-based composites, including their processing, properties, modeling, and applications, are highlighted and discussed.

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Prof. Antonio Pantano
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Carbon nanotube
  • Composite
  • Nanocomposite
  • Mechanical properties
  • Thermal properties
  • Thermomechanical properties
  • Electrical properties
  • Optical properties
  • Viscoelastic properties
  • Interfacial properties
  • Dispersion
  • Polymer–matrix composites
  • Processing
  • Modeling

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 4216 KiB  
Communication
Effective Doping of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Polyethyleneimine
by Monika Rdest and Dawid Janas
Materials 2021, 14(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14010065 - 25 Dec 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3810
Abstract
More and more electrically conducting materials are required to sustain the technological progress of civilization. Faced with the performance limits of classical materials, the R&D community has put efforts into developing nanomaterials, which can offer sufficiently high operational parameters. In this work, single-walled [...] Read more.
More and more electrically conducting materials are required to sustain the technological progress of civilization. Faced with the performance limits of classical materials, the R&D community has put efforts into developing nanomaterials, which can offer sufficiently high operational parameters. In this work, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were doped with polyethyleneimine (PEI) to create such material. The results show that it is most fruitful to combine these components at the synthesis stage of an SWCNT network from their dispersion. In this case, the electrical conductivity of the material is boosted from 249 ± 21 S/cm to 1301 ± 56 S/cm straightforwardly and effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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14 pages, 3644 KiB  
Article
Rapid Preparation of MWCNTs/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites by Photoinduced Frontal Polymerization
by Guofeng Hu, Wanli Fu, Yumin Ma, Jianping Zhou, Hongbo Liang, Xinmei Kang and Xiaolin Qi
Materials 2020, 13(24), 5838; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13245838 - 21 Dec 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3177
Abstract
Due to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties and medium resistance, epoxy/carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites have been widely used in many fields. However, the conventional thermosetting process is not only time- and energy-consuming, but also causes the agglomeration of nanofillers, which leads to [...] Read more.
Due to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties and medium resistance, epoxy/carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites have been widely used in many fields. However, the conventional thermosetting process is not only time- and energy-consuming, but also causes the agglomeration of nanofillers, which leads to unsatisfactory properties of the obtained composites. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared using UV photoinduced frontal polymerization (PIFP) in a rapid fashion. The addition of MWCNTs modified by a surface carboxylation reaction was found to enhance the impact strength and heat resistance of the epoxy matrix effectively. The experimental results indicate that with 0.4 wt % loading of modified MWCNTs, increases of 462.23% in the impact strength and 57.3 °C in the glass transition temperature Tg were achieved. A high-performance nanocomposite was prepared in only a few minutes using the PIFP approach. Considering its fast, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly production, the PIFP approach displays considerable potential in the field of the fast preparation, repair, and deep curing of nanocomposites and coatings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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Graphical abstract

13 pages, 7199 KiB  
Article
Carbon Nanotubes Dispersion Assessment in Nanocomposites by Means of a Pulsed Thermographic Approach
by Nicola Montinaro, Mario Fustaino and Antonio Pantano
Materials 2020, 13(24), 5649; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13245649 - 11 Dec 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2200
Abstract
The extensive production of polymer composites reinforced by carbon nanotube is limited by the absence of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods capable of assessing product quality to guarantee compliance with specifications. It is well known that the level of dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [...] Read more.
The extensive production of polymer composites reinforced by carbon nanotube is limited by the absence of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods capable of assessing product quality to guarantee compliance with specifications. It is well known that the level of dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the polymer matrix is the parameter that, much more than others, can influence their enhancement capabilities. Here an active Infrared Thermography Non Destructive Testing(IR-NDT) inspection, joined with pulsed phase thermography (PPT), were applied for the first time to epoxy-CNT composites to evaluate the level of dispersion of the nanoparticles. The PPT approach was tested on three groups of epoxy nanocomposite samples with different levels of dispersion of the nanoparticles. The phasegrams obtained with the presented technique clearly show clusters, or bundles, of CNTs when present, so a comparison with the reference sample is not necessary to evaluate the quality of the dispersion. Therefore, the new NDE approach can be applied to verify that the expected dispersion levels are met in products made from epoxy and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). The mechanisms underlying the effects of the dispersion of carbon nanotube on the thermal response of polymer composites have been identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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12 pages, 2396 KiB  
Article
CNT Conductive Epoxy Composite Metamaterials: Design, Fabrication, and Characterization
by Alexa Rizzo, Claudia Luhrs, Brian Earp and Dragoslav Grbovic
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214749 - 23 Oct 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2910
Abstract
In this study, carbon nanotube (CNT) epoxy composite films were fabricated, characterized, and tested as resonant, plasmonic metamaterials. CNT–epoxy formulations, containing diverse CNT loadings, were fabricated and templates were used to generate repeating arrays of squares of diverse dimensions. Their absorption characteristics were [...] Read more.
In this study, carbon nanotube (CNT) epoxy composite films were fabricated, characterized, and tested as resonant, plasmonic metamaterials. CNT–epoxy formulations, containing diverse CNT loadings, were fabricated and templates were used to generate repeating arrays of squares of diverse dimensions. Their absorption characteristics were characterized by collecting free space reflectivity data in the microwave band, using an arch setup in an anechoic chamber. Data were collected from 2 to 20 GHz. The materials behavior was modeled using a standard unit-cell-based finite element model, and the experimental and calculated data were compared. The experimental results were successfully reproduced with appropriate adjustments to relative permittivity of the composite films. This research demonstrates the ability to use CNT-based conductive composites for manufacturing metamaterials, offering a potentially lighter-weight alternative in place of traditional metal films. Lower conductivity than other conductors causes a widening of the absorption curves, providing a wider band of frequency absorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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10 pages, 3120 KiB  
Article
Response of Palladium and Carbon Nanotube Composite Films to Hydrogen Gas and Behavior of Conductive Carriers
by Muxuan Zou, Yoshinori Aono, Shuhei Inoue and Yukihiko Matsumura
Materials 2020, 13(20), 4568; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13204568 - 14 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2299
Abstract
To develop a high-performance hydrogen gas sensor, we fabricated a composite film made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and palladium nanoparticles. Carbon nanotubes were spin-coated onto a glass substrate, and subsequently, palladium nanoparticles were sputtered onto this film. The response to hydrogen gas was [...] Read more.
To develop a high-performance hydrogen gas sensor, we fabricated a composite film made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and palladium nanoparticles. Carbon nanotubes were spin-coated onto a glass substrate, and subsequently, palladium nanoparticles were sputtered onto this film. The response to hydrogen gas was measured during two seasons (summer and winter) using a vacuum chamber by introducing a hydrogen/argon gas mixture. There was a clear difference in the sensor response despite the temperature difference between summer and winter. In addition, since a clean chamber was used, fewer water molecules acted as a dopant, and the behavior of the CNT changed from p-type to n-type because of the dissociative adsorption of hydrogen. This phenomenon was confirmed as the Seebeck effect. Finally, the work functions of Pd, PdHx, and CNT were calculated by first-principle calculations. As predicted by previous studies, a decrease in work function due to hydrogen adsorption was confirmed; however, the electron transfer to CNT was not appropriate from the perspective of charge neutrality and was found to be localized at the Pd/CNT interface. It seems that the Seebeck effect causes the concentration of conductive carriers to change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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20 pages, 7040 KiB  
Article
Mechanical, Electrical, and Thermal Properties of Carbon Nanotube Buckypapers/Epoxy Nanocomposites Produced by Oxidized and Epoxidized Nanotubes
by George Trakakis, Georgia Tomara, Vitaliy Datsyuk, Labrini Sygellou, Asterios Bakolas, Dimitrios Tasis, John Parthenios, Christoforos Krontiras, Stavroula Georga, Costas Galiotis and Kostas Papagelis
Materials 2020, 13(19), 4308; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194308 - 27 Sep 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3505
Abstract
High volume fraction carbon nanotube (CNT) composites (7.5–16% vol.) were fabricated by the impregnation of CNT buckypapers into epoxy resin. To enhance the interfacial reaction with the epoxy resin, the CNTs were modified by two different treatments, namely, an epoxidation treatment and a [...] Read more.
High volume fraction carbon nanotube (CNT) composites (7.5–16% vol.) were fabricated by the impregnation of CNT buckypapers into epoxy resin. To enhance the interfacial reaction with the epoxy resin, the CNTs were modified by two different treatments, namely, an epoxidation treatment and a chemical oxidation. The chemical treatment was found to result in CNT length severance and to affect the porosity of the buckypapers, having an important impact on the physico-mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Overall, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the impregnated buckypapers were found to be superior of the neat epoxy resin, offering an attractive combination of mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties for multifunctional composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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15 pages, 3396 KiB  
Article
Time-Stability Dispersion of MWCNTs for the Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Portland Cement Specimens
by Laura M. Echeverry-Cardona, Natalia Álzate, Elisabeth Restrepo-Parra, Rogelio Ospina and Jorge H. Quintero-Orozco
Materials 2020, 13(18), 4149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13184149 - 18 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2370
Abstract
This study shows the energy optimization and stabilization in the time of solutions composed of H2O + TX-100 + Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), used to improve the mechanical properties of Portland cement pastes. For developing this research, sonication energies at 90, [...] Read more.
This study shows the energy optimization and stabilization in the time of solutions composed of H2O + TX-100 + Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), used to improve the mechanical properties of Portland cement pastes. For developing this research, sonication energies at 90, 190, 290, 340, 390, 440, 490 and 590 J/g are applied to a colloidal substance (MWCNTs/TX-100 + H2O) with a molarity of 10 mM. Raman spectroscopy analyses showed that, for energies greater than 440 J/g, there are ruptures and fragmentation of the MWCNTs; meanwhile at energies below 390 J/g, better dispersions are obtained. The stability of the dispersion over time was evaluated over 13 weeks using UV-vis spectroscopy and Zeta Potential. With the most relevant data collected, sonication energies of 190, 390 and 490 J/g, at 10 mM were selected at the first and the fourth week of storage to obtain Portland cement specimens. Finally, we found an improvement of the mechanical properties of the samples built with Portland cement and solutions stored for one and four weeks; it can be concluded that the MWCNTs improved the hydration period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube Based Composites: Processing, Properties, Modeling and Application)
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