Michael Q. Tran

A versatile, solvent-free methodology for the functionalisation of carbon nanotubes

High temperature activation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provides a new and highly versatile functionalisation strategy. The reaction allows the attachment of a wide variety of functional species onto the nanotube surface at grafting ratios between 1–8 wt%, whilst maintaining the intrinsic properties of the untreated materials. The underlying, radical-based, reaction mechanism has been established by quenching experiments and EPR studies. The distribution of the functionalised sites has been investigated at the microscopic scale using tagging reactions. The grafted products have been characterized by electron microscopy, thermal analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The change in the CNT surface properties after grafting has been quantified in terms of dispersive and specific surface energies, and altered dispersibilities in a broad range of solvents. It is possible to carry out the reaction using gas phase reagents, providing a clean, efficient, and scalable methodology, relevant to a diverse range of applications.

Wet impregnation as route to unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites manufacturing

Abstract Processing of unidirectional (UD) carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites using a laboratory scale modular composite line was investigated. Thin continuous tapes were manufactured from a 12k carbon fibre tow via wet impregnation impregnated using a slurry based polymer suspension. Hardware design as well as processing parameters influencing the tape quality and the fibre volume content of the resulting tapes, is discussed. Two different grades of polyetheretherketone were used for in‐house manufacturing of UD carbon fibre reinforced composite tapes. Laminates were prepared from the manufactured tapes via compression moulding and tested. Results from short beam strength, flexural and compression tests show that the properties of the manufactured composites match the properties of commercially available aromatic polymer composites (APC2). The flexibility of the process is demonstrated, showing that it is also possible to manufacture unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polyvinylidene fluoride composites.