Nanomechanical Characterizations of Interfaces in Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Nanocomposites

该奖项的研究目标是采取系统和整体的方法来研究单壁碳纳米管增强纳米复合材料中的界面，使用基于微机电系统（MEMS）的测试平台，原子力显微镜（AFM）和分子动力学（MD）模拟的组合。本研究主要包括以下几个方面的内容：（1）开发新型、多功能、可靠的MEMS测试平台，进行碳纳米管拔出实验，定量表征（a）单壁碳纳米管与环氧树脂基体、（B）单壁碳纳米管与PDMS基体、（c）单壁碳纳米管与Au基体之间的界面相互作用;（2）在正常和横向模式下的定量AFM研究，以提供对上述增强体/基质界面之间的粘附力和摩擦力的直接和准确的评估，（3）使用MEMS测试平台和AFM通过不同侧壁化学官能化方法研究改性的SWNT/基质界面;（四）理论和MD模拟的关键界面结构和弛豫机制之间的SWNT增强和基质的相关性观察，实验如果成功，这项研究的结果将是对纳米复合材料界面行为的物理性质的基本理解的重要一步，这反过来将使合成纳米复合材料的设计能够改善机械性能。研究生和代表性不足的本科生将被招募从事这项前沿研究，并将有机会在研究会议和当地社区展示他们的成果。由PI成立，新成立的Paslay纳米科学与工程教育实验室在赖斯大学将作为一个平台，涉及高中生和科学教师在大休斯顿地区的推广活动，并介绍了这项研究的结果给公众。此外，通过这项研究获得的见解将有效地传播给学生附属于克拉克森航空航天少数民族领袖研究和教育计划，这是少数民族的外联计划在这里在赖斯，重点是历史上的黑人学院和大学和少数民族机构之一。

AbstractThe research objective of this award is to take a systematic and integral approach to study interfaces in SWNT reinforced nanocomposites, using combinations of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) based testing platforms, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The proposed research involves the following tasks, (1) Development of novel, versatile and reliable MEMS based testing platforms to perform nanotube pull-out experiments for quantitative characterization of interfacial interaction between (a) SWNT and epoxy matrix, (b) SWNT and PDMS matrix, (c) SWNT and Au matrix; (2) Quantitative AFM study in both normal and lateral mode to provide direct and accurate assessment of adhesion and friction forces between the above mentioned reinforcement/matrix interfaces, in particular after the occurrence of de-bonding events; (3) Investigation of modified SWNT/matrix interfaces by different sidewall chemical functionalization methods using both the MEMS testing platform and AFM; (4) Theory and MD simulation of the key interfacial structures and relaxation mechanisms between SWNT reinforcement and matrix in correlation with observations from the experiments. If successful, the results of this research will be a vital step towards fundamental understanding of the physical nature of interfacial behaviors in nanocomposites, which in turn will enable the design of synthetic nanocomposites for improved mechanical performance. Graduate students and under-represented undergraduates will be recruited to work on this cutting-edge research, and will be given opportunities to present their results at research conferences and to local communities. Founded by the PI, the newly established Paslay Nanoscale Science and Engineering Educational Lab at Rice University will serve as a platform for outreach activities involving high school students and science teachers in greater Houston area, and introduce the findings from this research to the general public. In addition, the insights gained through this research will be effectively disseminated to students affiliate with the Clarkson Aerospace Minority Leader Research and Education Program, which is one of the minority outreach program here at Rice, focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions.