Solvent-Free Mixing and Buckypaper Prepreg solutions for Ultrahigh Loading of Carbon Nanotubes in Structural Resins for Advanced Composites Applicatio

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer composites are attracting great interest for their potential applications as lightweight high-performance materials. However, the development and practical applications of these materials have been hindered by poor processability of nanotube/resin mixture systems, including difficulty of dispersion due to self-assembling nature of Van Der Waals interactions, large aspect ratio, viscosity increase due to extra-large surface areas and high density of electronic structures of nanotubes. Transformational Technologies Innovations, Inc. (TTI) in collaboration with Florida State University (FSU) proposes to develop science-based enabling manufacturing processes to overcome dispersion and loading issues and demonstrate exceptional properties of nanotube-reinforced nanocomposite systems. The project will focus on a unique two step technical approach to realize good nanotube dispersion and quality composite parts for a large range of high nanotube loading (10-55wt.%). FSU’s previous experience with nanotube dispersion, manufacturing of buckypapers and nanocomposites will be used as a basis for this project. Phase I will focus on fundamental and experimental studies to prove the feasibility of high nanotube loading. Preliminary tests will be conducted to demonstrate the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites. The project is fully supported by The Boeing Company for use in their future structural applications.