Paper Number
DA10
Session
Design of Applied Materials
Title
Tuning process parameters to optimize carbon nanotube fibers for high performance conductors
Presentation Date and Time
October 16, 2018 (Tuesday) 4:10
Track / Room
Track 5 / San Felipe Room
Authors
- Taylor, Lauren W. (Rice University, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)
- Dewey, Oliver S. (Rice University, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)
- Pasquali, Matteo (Rice University, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)
Author and Affiliation Lines
Lauren W. Taylor, Oliver S. Dewey, and Matteo Pasquali
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005
Speaker / Presenter
Taylor, Lauren W.
Text of Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are well known for their outstanding electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, it has proven difficult to transform these single molecule properties to macroscale materials such as fibers. Significant strides have been achieved by processing CNTs in chlorosulfonic acid. Chlorosulfonic acid and CNTs create a true solution, and the CNTs spontaneously align to form liquid crystals. This solution is extruded into a coagulation bath to form neat CNT fibers. This process is inherently complex with competing effects of mass and energy transport and the complex flow behavior of the solution. Here, we discuss some of the fundamental solution spinning parameters and how they translate to fiber properties. Some of these parameters include solution extrusion rate, CNT solution concentration, fiber draw ratio, and choice of coagulant. These parameters directly affect alignment of the CNTs, packing density of the CNTs, and morphology of the fiber. Through this process we are able to create lightweight, flexible conductors that have specific conductivity approaching copper and specific strength approaching carbon fiber. With further understanding, we aim to push the boundaries of this material further for applications such as aircraft and electrical motors.