Ultrahigh Loading of DWNTs for Advanced Composites

The feasibility of developing advanced Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) with ultrahigh loading of well dispersed carbon nanotubes has been proven in the Phase I effort by implementing innovative technologies for incorporating very high loading ratios of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) in a set of engineering polymer matrices that resulted in exceptionally high mechanical performance of PMCs. The Phase II effort will be devoted to optimization of the manufacture process for maximizing the nanotube loading in PMCs and to further improving their mechanical properties by modifying the DWNT mats and polymer matrices to increase their already high compatibility. Easy processing of these composites, further de-aggregation of the nanotube bundles and enhanced covalent bonding of the nanotubes to the matrices will be sought. Methods of inducing alignment of nanotubes in the PMCs will be further elaborated to explore the possibility of creating utmost in unidirectional strength and stiffness. A detailed study of the dependence of the mechanical properties on the nanotube loading will be performed for several ultrahigh performance polymers in order to achieve improved understanding of their origin. The massive nanotube composite articles will be manufactured and characterized. Approaches to scale up production of the PMC will be developed.