Depositing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) is challenging because of the need for complicated lab-scale processes and toxic chemical dispersants that makes conventional means of processing less compatible with existing industrial procedures for large-scale applications. In this work, a scalable supercritical CO2-assisted atomization technique is used to effectively deposit hybrid CNTs in CFRPs allowing them to boost their functionality and tailor the microstructure. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are utilized to create hybrid nanostructures with CNTs (CNC bonded CNT) that enables stabilization of CNTs in nontoxic media, i.e., water, and this promotes the scalability of the process. According to Zeta potential values, CNCs successfully stabilize CNTs in water suspension. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs show hybrid CNC bonded CNTs are homogeneously dispersed on the carbon fiber surface. According to the in-situ bending test under the optical microscope, crack propagation is hindered by engineered hybrid CNT nanostructures in the modified CFRP whereas neat CFRP exhibits low crack growth resistance due to the uninterrupted crack propagation in the continuous epoxy matrix. Our results imply that this strategy probes the importance of new controlled manufacturing of hybrid nanostructures through evaporation‑induced self‑assembly of nanocolloidal droplets, and allows for tailoring of the desired properties of nanostructured composites.
Achieving desired performance from self‐assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) is challenging due to the stochastic nature of interactions among the constituent building blocks. Self‐assembly of nano‐colloids through evaporation of particle‐laden droplets can be exploited to fabricate tailored nanostructures that add functionality and engineer the properties of manufactured components. The particle–particle and particle–solvent interactions, and delicate force balance among them are the main factors that define the pattern of the final 3D nanostructure. Here, a nanoparticle‐agnostic approach that allows the fabrication of nanostructures with precisely engineered patterns is introduced. Evaporative droplets of aqueous suspensions of pristine Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene Nanoplatelets, and Boron Nitride Nanotubes representing NPs of different elemental compositions, sizes, and shapes are investigated. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are used as a platform to make hybrid systems of CNC‐NP and utilize the repulsive‐attractive‐directional interactions in these multimaterial systems to enforce the desired final pattern between ring and disk. It is shown that irrespective of the type of NPs, the amphiphilicity of the hybrid system dictates the formation of deposited patterns. Finally, the effect of self‐assembled patterns on the functionality of multi‐material systems is demonstrated. The proposed method creates new capabilities in the precisely controlled nanostructures and facilitates smart self‐assembly systems.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 2134465
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10393036
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Materials Technologies
- Volume:
- 8
- Issue:
- 7
- ISSN:
- 2365-709X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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