Novel Structural Composites Using Surface Grown Carbon Nanotubes

这项工作旨在利用一种被称为“设计石墨结构”的新技术，在碳纤维和织物表面生长碳纳米管，以形成分层复合结构。这些复合材料将受益于碳纤维的微尺度增强和纳米管的互补纳米尺度增强。该合成过程快速、经济，并且提供了纳米管的可控生长，从而消除了纳米管在环氧树脂中分散的问题。所提出的合成方法是唯一一种允许碳纳米管在相对较低的温度（450℃）下在纤维表面生长，从而不破坏纤维的技术。所生产的复合材料将在纳米、微观和宏观尺度上进行研究，为下一代具有高强度、断裂韧性和可变形性的结构复合材料铺平道路，这些复合材料长期以来一直寻求持久的基础设施。这种新型复合材料将显著提高用于结构（如桥梁）的纤维增强聚合物预应力链的剪切强度。与锚定这些股有关的问题将被消除。四名研究生将参与其学位要求的研究。计划开设四门多学科课程，作为拟议研究活动的一部分，以使机械和土木工程系的学生受益。这两个系有超过40%的少数民族人口（西班牙裔和美洲原住民），超过20%的学生是女性。这项工作的结果将传达给位于新墨西哥州的数学/科学特许高中的学生。

The proposed work aims to grow carbon nanotubes, using a novel technique known as Graphitic Structures by Design, on the surface of carbon fibers and fabrics toward forming hierarchical composite structures. These composites will benefit from the microscale reinforcement of carbon fibers and from the complementary nanoscale reinforcement by the nanotubes. The synthesis process is rapid, affordable, and offers controlled-growth of nanotubes and thus eliminates the problems of dispersing nanotubes in epoxies. The proposed synthesis method is the only technique that allows growth of carbon nanotubes on fiber surface at relatively low temperature (450 oC) and thus does not damage the fibers. The produced composites will be investigated at the nano, micro and macro scales, paving the way for next generation structural composites with high strength, fracture toughness and deformability long sought for durable infrastructure. The new composites will significantly enhance the shear strength of fiber reinforced polymer pre-stressing strands used in structures (e.g. bridges). Problems associated with anchoring these strands will be eliminated. Four graduate students will participate in the research toward their degrees requirements. Four multi-disciplinary courses are planned as part of the proposed research activities to benefit students in Mechanical and Civil Engineering departments. The two departments have more than 40% minority population (Hispanic and Native American) and more than 20% of our students are females. The results of this work will be communicated to students at math/science charter high schools located in the state of New Mexico.