Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites

CNT Polymer Science and Technology

Marcio Loos

• Publisher: William Andrew
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781455731954
• eBook ISBN: 9781455731961
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites introduces a wide audience of engineers, scientists and product designers to this important and rapidly expanding class of high performance composites. Dr Loos provides readers with the scientific fundamentals of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), CNT composites and nanotechnology in a way which will enable them to understand the performance, capability and potential of the materials under discussion. He also investigates how CNT reinforcement can be used to enhance the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of polymer composites. Production methods, processing technologies and applications are fully examined, with reference to relevant patents. Finally, health and safety issues related to the use of CNTs are investigated.Dr. Loos compares the theoretical expectations of using CNTs to the results obtained in labs, and explains the reasons for the discrepancy between theoretical and experimental results. This approach makes the book an essential reference and practical guide for engineers and product developers working with reinforced polymers – as well as researchers and students in polymer science, materials and nanotechnology.A wealth of applications information is included, taken from the wide range of industry sectors utilizing CNT reinforced composites, such as energy, coatings, defense, electronics, medical devices, and high performance sports equipment.- Introduces a wide range of readers involved in plastics engineering, product design and manufacturing to the relevant topics in nano-science, nanotechnology, nanotubes and composites.- Assesses effects of CNTs as reinforcing agents, both in a materials context and an applications setting.- Focuses on applications aspects – performance, cost, health and safety, etc – for a wide range of industry sectors, e.g. energy, coatings, defense, electronics, medical devices, high performance sports equipment, etc.

Chapter 1

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Abstract

Assuming that the reader is relatively new to the area of carbon nanotube reinforced composites, this chapter aims to create a solid background in the topics of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N). We start with an introduction to the nanoscale, from basic themes, such as the importance of size, and why the properties of materials change at the nanoscale. The concepts of N&N are presented from the starting point: the Feynman’s lecture in 1959. The different types of nanotechnology are discussed. The history of nano shows us that nanotechnology was, somehow, already been used in the ancient world as demonstrated by great examples as the Lycurgus cup and stained glass windows. The “nano world” has inspired many applications that make use of the new features and phenomena observed at the nanoscale. We discuss some of the existing and envisioned applications in many areas, including medicine, food, electronics, energy, air pollution, space, and even sports. Finally, we take a look to the future and realize that although scientists are able to manipulate materials at the atomic scale, atom by atom, there is still much to be done, i.e., There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom!

Keywords

Applications of nanotechnology; Carbon nanotubes; Lei de Moore; Nanomaterials; Nanoscience; Nanotechnology

Chapter Outline

1.1 Introduction to the nanoscale 1

1.2 What makes the nanoscale important? 4

1.3 Properties of nanoparticles and effect of size 8

1.3.1 Morphological and structural properties 8

1.3.2 Thermal properties 9

1.3.3 Electromagnetic properties 9

1.3.4 Optical properties 10

1.3.5 Mechanical properties 10

1.4 N&N history 10

1.4.1 Types of nanotechnology 13

1.5 Nano in history 13

1.6 Moore's Law 15

1.7 Applications of nanotechnology 22

1.7.1 Aviation and space 22

1.7.2 Medicine 22

1.7.3 Food 25

1.7.4 Electronics 26

1.7.5 Energy 27

1.7.6 Air pollution and water 28

1.7.7 Textiles 29

1.7.8 Sports 30

1.8 Nanoscience and nanotechnology: A look to the future 30

To learn more… 33

References 33

1.1. Introduction to the nanoscale

The term nano has etymological origins in the Greek, and means dwarf. This term indicates that physical dimensions are on the order of a billionth of a meter (10⁻⁹ m or nanometer). This range is colloquially called nanometric scale or simply nanoscale. By convention, dimensions between 1 and 100 nm are accepted as belonging to the nanoscale. Based on Table 1.1 we can understand the context of the nanoscale in relation to other scales of the international system (SI). Hydrogen atoms, for example, have a diameter of 0.074 nm. Thus, a cube with 1 nm edge could contain about 2500 atoms. The smallest integrated circuit currently known has a lateral dimension of 250 nm and contains 10⁶ atoms in an atomic layer thickness. Considering the covalent radius (rigid sphere) of gold, iron, and nitrogen atoms as 0.144, 0.125, and 0.075 nm, respectively, a different amount for each type of atom may be aligned on a 1 nm long ruler (Figure 1.1).

FIGURE 1.1 Different atoms aligned in a 1 nm long ruler: 3.5 gold atoms, 4 iron atoms, and 6.67 nitrogen atoms.

The atoms are considered as hard spheres and the covalent radius is assumed.

Table 1.1

Prefixes for the International System of Units (SI)

Factor	Prefix	Symbol
10^−24	yocto	y
10^−21	zepto	z
10^−18	atto	a
10^−15	femto	f
10^−12	pico	P
10^−9	nano	n
10^−6	micro	μ
10^−3	milli	m
10^−2	centi	c
10^−1	deci	d
10^−1	deka	da
10^−2	hecto	h...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Series page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
• Chapter 2. Composites
• Chapter 3. Allotropes of Carbon and Carbon Nanotubes
• Chapter 4. Production of CNTs and Risks to Health
• Chapter 5. Fundamentals of Polymer Matrix Composites Containing CNTs
• Chapter 6. Processing of Polymer Matrix Composites Containing CNTs
• Chapter 7. Applications of CNTs
• Chapter 8. Is It Worth the Effort to Reinforce Polymers with Carbon Nanotubes?
• Chapter 9. Reinforcement Efficiency of Carbon Nanotubes—Myth and Reality
• Appendix A. Richard Feynman’s Talk
• Appendix B. Periodic Table of Elements
• Appendix C. Graphene Sheet
• Appendix D. Simulations Using Matlab®
• Appendix E. Questions and Exercises
• Index