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

技术摘要本研究旨在加深对碳纳米纤维（NF）和碳纳米管（NT）增强聚合物复合材料（NRPC）结晶过程中纳米和微观形貌相互作用的理解。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导致形态变化，从而影响特定的宏观性能。鉴于大量不同的利用工艺和潜在的应用导致了不同的纳米微观结构，NRPC所观察到的突出性质引起了人们的广泛关注，并促使人们对其形态行为进行更多的研究。增强剂，尤其是纳米级增强剂可以显著改变聚合物基体的纳米/微观形貌，增加了现有微观结构研究的复杂性。纳米级增强材料是一个具有挑战性的领域，因为它的总界面面积很大，界面很可能会由意想不到的结构构象形成。这些类型的形态改变了材料特性，导致需要新的理论和/或解释观察到的（或预期的）宏观行为。复合材料的性能在很大程度上取决于所开发的新形态，这使得CNF和CNT具有出色的电学和热学性能，并且很容易受到电磁辐射和热相关应用的改变。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，以提高在大量潜在应用中激发宏观性能的可靠性。摘要纳米增强聚合物复合材料（NRPC）由于其有趣的性能和潜在的高技术应用而受到广泛的研究。考虑到技术途径现在正在进入可以应用开发的NRPC复合材料的工具和结构的制造，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。这将促进更系统化的材料加工发展，这些材料具有适合高技术应用的特性，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博士之前的资金支持了一个强大的研究小组的发展，极大地增强了utpa（非博士机构，西班牙裔人口占85%，位于美国增长第四快的地区，西班牙裔人口占89%）的研究愿景，并促进了学生和教师的研究发展。Lozano博士已经并将继续（利用这笔资助）促进高质量的研究，特别是在工程等具有国家重要性的领域。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（并目睹了）一个成功的工程师的发展会传播到他们家庭的所有成员，从而传播到整个社区。洛萨诺斯博士的研究助理中有很高的比例（95%的西班牙裔）参加了研究生课程，因此增加了科学和工程领域中未被充分代表的少数民族的数量。

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.