Nano-Micro Morphological Understanding of Nanofiber-Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composites

技术摘要提出的实验为基础的研究将添加到碳纳米管（NF）和碳纳米管（NT）增强聚合物复合材料（NRPC）的聚合物结晶的纳米和微观形态之间的相互作用的理解。 将进行研究以阐明NF或NT与聚合物基质之间的相互作用如何解释形态学变化，从而影响特定的宏观性质。 观察到的NRPC的出色性能已经引起了广泛的关注，并促使需要更多的研究，其形态学行为的大量不同的利用过程和潜在的应用，导致不同的纳米-微米结构。 增强，特别是在纳米级可以显着改变聚合物基体的纳米/微米形态，并增加了现有的微观结构研究的复杂性。纳米级增强材料呈现出一个具有挑战性的领域，因为由于大的总界面面积，很可能界面将由意想不到的结构构象形成。这些类型的形态改变材料性质，导致需要新的理论和/或解释观察到的（或预期的）宏观行为。 复合材料的性能强烈地依赖于开发的新形态，其给出了CNF和CNT的出色的电和热性能，并且CNT也容易被电磁辐射和热相关的应用改变。从这项资助中获得的结果将推进复合材料行为原理的基础知识，以提高大量潜在应用中令人兴奋的宏观性能的可靠性。非技术摘要纳米增强聚合物复合材料（NRPC）现在已经被广泛研究，因为它们具有有趣的特性，因此具有潜在的高科技应用。鉴于技术途径现在正在进入可以应用所开发的NRPC复合材料的工具和结构的制造，因此必须了解加工技术和环境相关问题的差异对纳米微观结构的影响，从而对材料的可靠性产生影响。这将促进更系统地开发具有针对高技术应用的定制特性的材料加工，这将影响系统的效率，并将提供增强的性能，可靠性和安全性。Lozano已经允许一个强大的研究小组的发展，大大增强了UTPAs（非博士机构，西班牙裔人口的85%，位于美国增长最快的第四个地区，拥有89%的西班牙裔人口）的研究视野，并促进了学生和教师的研究发展。Lozano博士已经并将继续（利用这笔赠款）促进高质量的研究，特别是在工程等国家重要领域。她为本科生提供了在新兴技术领域进行最先进研究的机会。Lozano博士高度致力于社区，并认识到（并见证了）一个成功的工程师的发展蔓延到他们的家庭的所有成员，因此整个社区。Lozanos博士的研究助理（95%为西班牙裔）中有很高比例参加了研究生课程，因此增加了科学和工程领域代表性不足的少数族裔的数量。

TECHNICAL ABSTRACTThe proposed experiment-based study will add to the understanding of the interplay between the nano- and micro-morphology of polymeric crystallization of carbon nanofiber (NF) and carbon nanotube (NT) reinforced polymer composites (NRPC). Studies will be conducted to elucidate how the interactions between the NF or NT and polymer matrix account for morphological changes therefore affecting specific macro- properties. The outstanding properties observed for NRPC have gained much attention and have prompted a need for more studies of their morphological behavior given the vast number of different utilized processes and potential applications that result in different nano-micro-structures. Reinforcements, and especially in the nanoscale can significantly alter the nano/micro morphology of the polymeric matrix and add up to the complexity of the existing microstructural studies. Nanoscale reinforcements present a challenging area given that due to the large total interfacial area, it is likely that the interface will be formed by unexpected structural conformations. These types of morphologies change material properties resulting in the need of new theories and/or interpretations for observed (or expected) macroscopic behavior. The composite properties depend strongly on the developed new morphology which given the outstanding electrical and thermal properties of the CNF and CNT is prone to be also altered by electromagnetic radiations and heat related applications. The results obtained from this grant, will advance the fundamental knowledge on principles of composite material behavior to promote reliability on exciting macro-properties for a vast number of potential applications. NON-TECHNICAL ABSTRACTNano reinforced polymer composites (NRPC) have now been widely studied given their interesting properties and therefore potential high-technological applications. Given that the technology pathway is now moving into the manufacturing of tools and structures where the developed NRPC composite materials can be applied, it is imperative to understand the effect that differences in processing techniques and environmental related issues will have on the nano-microstructure and therefore on the reliability of the materials. This will promote a more systematic development for processing of materials with tailored properties for high technological applications that will impact the efficiency of systems and will provide enhanced performance, reliability, and safety. Prior funding to Dr. Lozano has allowed the development of a strong research group that has greatly enhanced UTPAs (non PhD institution, Hispanic population of 85%, located in the 4th fastest growing US region with 89% Hispanic population) research vision and has promoted student and faculty research development. Dr. Lozano has and will continue (with this grant) to promote high quality research, especially in areas of national importance such as engineering. She provides opportunities for undergraduates to conduct state of the art research in emerging technologies. Dr. Lozano is highly committed to the community and recognizes (and had witnessed) that the development of a successful engineer spreads out to all members of their family and therefore to the community in general. A high percentage of Dr. Lozanos research assistants (95% Hispanics) have enrolled in graduate programs increasing therefore the number of underrepresented minorities in the science and engineering fields.