Carbon Nanotube Nano Composites for Multifunctional Applications

Owing to their exceptional stiffness, strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, carbon nanotubes have the potential for the development of nano composites materials for a wide variety of applications. In order to achieve the full potential of carbon nanotubes for structural, thermal and electrical multifunctional applications, both single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), double wall nanotubes (DWNTs) and multi wall nanotubes (MWNTs) need to be developed into fully integrated carbon nanotube composites. Full integration of nanotubes requires their development beyond conventional composites so that the level of the non-nanotube material is designed to integrate fully with the amount of nanotubes and where the nanotubes are part of the matrix rather than a differing component, as in the case of conventional composites. In order to advance the development of multifunctional materials from nanotubes, this research is focused on the simultaneous control of structural properties, thermal and electrical conductivity of fully integrated carbon nanotube composites. These are hybrid material systems designed to surpass the limits of rule of mixtures engineering and composite design. The goals are to implement designs to fully mimic the properties of carbon nanotubes on larger scales for enhanced thermal and electrical management in addition to controlled strength and toughness. These new approaches involve, functionalization, dispersion, stabilization, alignment, polymerization and reaction bonding, in order to achieve full integration. Typical examples of polymeric and ceramic matrices, as well as other material systems are presented and discussed.