Co-reporter:Marvin Cummings, Sebastian Gliga, Boris Lukanov, Eric I. Altman, Matthias Bode, Enrique V. Barrera
Surface Science 2011 Volume 605(1–2) pp:72-80
Publication Date(Web):January 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.susc.2010.10.002
Here, the interactions of C60 at the surface of pseudomorphic Ni/Cu(100) and Co/Ru(0001) thin films and its effect on film growth and morphology were determined using in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The novel development of C60-metallic based nanosystems, such as C60 molecular junction transistors, hinges on our ability to understand the factors governing structural stability in these nanosystems and the nature of the bond interactions at the C60–metal interface. In this study, C60 deposited onto the Ni(100) film surface is observed to be fairly immobile and uniformly distributed across the Ni surface. On the Co(0001) film surface however, C60 mobility is observed to be severely limited in some regions and highly mobile in others dependent upon Co film surface reconstruction, resulting in a non-uniform distribution of C60 across the Co film surface. Despite the presence of C60 on the Ni surface, there is no obvious influence of the C60 on further Ni film growth. In contrast, during Co film growth, islands only nucleate and grow from step edges or locally around C60 molecules. The strength of the Co–C60 bond interaction appears stronger than the Co–Co bond on Co film terrace. Generally, the Ni and Co films both continue epitaxial film growth in the presence of molecular C60. AES results indicate the C60 molecules maintain their chemical integrity during growth.
Co-reporter:Yao Zhao
Advanced Functional Materials 2010 Volume 20( Issue 18) pp:3039-3044
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201000942
Abstract
Homogenous dispersion and strong interfacial bonding are prerequisites for taking full advantage of the mechanical properties of nanotubes in a composite. In order to simultaneously achieve both conditions, a highly efficient and mechanically non-destructive functionalization of nanotubes is developed. With fluoronanotubes as the precursor, asymmetric diamine molecules, N-BOC-1,6-diaminohexane, are used to replace fluorines on the wall of fluoronanotubes and construct covalent bonding to the surface of the nanotubes. A BOC de-protection reaction is conducted and the resulting exposed amino groups create strong covalent bonds with the matrix in the course of epoxy ring-opening etherification and curing chemical reactions. In comparison with the conventional functionalization based on symmetric diamine molecules, the functionalized nanotubes derived from the BOC-protected diamine molecule are more dispersed within the epoxy matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the functionalized nanotubes have better crosslinking with the matrix. The composites reinforced by the nanotubes demonstrate improvement in various mechanical properties. The Young’s Modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and storage modulus of composites loaded with 0.5 wt% functionalized nanotubes are enhanced by 30%, 25%, and 10%, respectively, compared with the neat epoxy. The increase of the glass transition temperature, as much as 10 °C, makes the composites suited for engineering applications under higher temperatures. The new functionalization method allows for an competitive enhancement in the composite performance in use of relatively low cost raw nanotubes at a small loading level. The reinforcement mechanism of the functionalized nanotubes in the epoxy resin is discussed.
Co-reporter:Jiang Zhu, Ashraf Imam, Roger Crane, Karen Lozano, Valery N. Khabashesku, Enrique V. Barrera
Composites Science and Technology 2007 Volume 67(7–8) pp:1509-1517
Publication Date(Web):June 2007
DOI:10.1016/j.compscitech.2006.07.018
Carbon nanotubes have been considered as a promising means of enhancing the properties of advanced composites in a range of polymer systems. Expected property enhancements include high strength and stiffness, improved toughness, impact and through-thickness properties. Z-axis properties like shear strength are of special interest for laminated composite structures subjected to transverse loads. This paper reports the processing of a glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester composite with nanotube integration and examines the reinforcement potential on interlaminar shear strength. Several sidewall functionalized nanotube derivatives were also prepared in order to obtain high dispersion and matrix bonding. Carbon nanotube enhanced vinyl ester/glass fiber composites were fabricated by a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Overcoating the glass fiber weave with nanotubes and processing modification led to enhancement of the interface properties. A maximum of 45% increase in shear strength over control sample was observed on several types of nanotubes with a very small amount of nanotubes (0.015 wt%) coated in the midplane ply.
Co-reporter:E. V. Barrera;J. Bonilla-Rios;P. Cortés;K. Lozano
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2003 Volume 89(Issue 9) pp:2527-2534
Publication Date(Web):13 JUN 2003
DOI:10.1002/app.12309
Vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) were exposed to a series of chemical treatments and to electrochemical deposition of copper to modify their surface conditions and alter their electrical properties. The fibers were then mixed with polypropylene using a Banbury-type mixer obtaining composites up to 5 wt % VGCFs. Rheological, electrical, and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared to unfilled polypropylene processed in a similar manner. The composites made with HNO3-treated VGCFs showed a lower electrical resistivity compared to the untreated samples. The composites containing VGCFs subjected to the copper electrodeposition process showed the lowest resistivity with no change in the mechanical properties. Changes in rheological properties demonstrated the effects of varying surface conditions of the VGCFs. Microscopic analysis of these composites showed a heterogeneous distribution of VGCFs forming an interconnected network with the presence of copper on the surface of the VGCFs and in the matrix. Both the interconnected network and the presence of copper led to a lower percolation threshold than those seen in a previous work where high dispersion was sought. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2527–2534, 2003
Co-reporter:M. L. Shofner;K. Lozano;F. J. Rodríguez-Macías;E. V. Barrera
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2003 Volume 89(Issue 11) pp:3081-3090
Publication Date(Web):27 JUN 2003
DOI:10.1002/app.12496
Vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs), a practical model nanofiber for single-walled carbon nanotubes, were combined with an acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) copolymer to create a composite material for use with fused deposition modeling (FDM). Continuous filament feedstock materials were extruded from Banbury mixed composites with a maximum composition of 10 wt % nanofibers. Issues of dispersion, porosity, and fiber alignment were studied. SEM images indicated that the VGCFs were well dispersed and evenly distributed in the matrix and that no porosity existed in the composite material following FDM processing. VGCFs aligned both in the filament feedstock and in the FDM traces suggested that nanofibers, in general, can be aligned through extrusion/shear processing. The feedstock materials were processed into test specimens for mechanical property comparisons with unfilled ABS. The VGCF-filled ABS swelled less than did the plain ABS at similar processing conditions due to the increased stiffness. The tensile strength and modulus of the VGCF-filled ABS increased an average of 39 and 60%, respectively, over the unfilled ABS. Storage modulus measurements from dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the stiffness increased 68%. The fracture behavior of the composite material indicated that the VGCFs act as restrictions to the chain mobility of the polymer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3081–3090, 2003
Co-reporter:M.L Shofner, F.J Rodrı́guez-Macı́as, R Vaidyanathan, E.V Barrera
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 2003 Volume 34(Issue 12) pp:1207-1217
Publication Date(Web):December 2003
DOI:10.1016/j.compositesa.2003.07.002
Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) were compounded with poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) to create composite materials for use with Extrusion Freeform Fabrication (EFF). The composite materials possessed homogeneously dispersed fibers that were oriented with EFF processing. The VGCF and SWNT reinforced materials processed by EFF displayed improved tensile modulus compared to similarly processed ABS and composite material with isotropic fiber orientation, and the SWNT reinforced material displayed the highest properties, strength and modulus, of the materials studied. The materials containing oriented VGCFs and SWNTs showed modulus improvements of 44 and 93%, respectively.
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