Improving the mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube sheets by intercalation of polymeric adhesives

Authors

Jonathan N. Coleman, Trinity College Dublin
Werner J. Blau, Trinity College Dublin
Alan B. Dalton, University of Texas at Dallas
Edgar Munoz, University of Texas at Dallas
Steve Collins, University of Texas at Dallas
Bog G. Kim, University of Texas at Dallas
Joselito M. Razal, University of WollongongFollow
Miles Selvidge, University of Texas at Dallas
Guillermo Vieiro, University of Texas at Dallas
Ray Baughman, University of Texas at DallasFollow

RIS ID

20718

Publication Details

Coleman, J. N., Blau, W. J., Dalton, A. B., Munoz, E., Collins, S., Kim, B. G., Razal, J., Selvidge, M., Vieiro, G. & Baughman, R. H. (2003). Improving the mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube sheets by intercalation of polymeric adhesives. Applied Physics Letters, 82 (11), 1682-1684.

Abstract

Organic polymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), and poly(styrene), were intercalated into single-walled carbon nanotube sheets by soaking the sheets in polymer solutions. Even for short soak times, significant polymer intercalation into existing free volume was observed. Tensile tests on intercalated sheets showed that the Young's modulus, strength, and toughness increased by factors of 3, 9, and 28, respectively, indicating that the intercalated polymer enhances load transmission between nanotubes.