Robust, Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Nanolayered Composites with Enhanced Ductility and Strength

Robust, Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Nanolayered Composites with Enhanced Ductility and Strength

A new class of robust, nanolayered, self-assembled composite was developed by sequential deposition of electrostatically dispersed negatively charged carbon nanotubes (CNT) (charges were introduced via polymer wrapping) and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on a polyurethane scaffold and subsequent heating. Heat treatment allowed for the formation of amide bonds between carboxylic acid functionalities on CNT walls and amine groups of the polyelectrolyte resulting strong covalent bonded network (crosslinked) of self-assembled, nanolayered composite. This robust nanolayered composite demonstrated high tensile strength and enhanced ductility compared to that of original polyurethane scaffold. The self-assembled nanolayered composites, after complementary cross-linking steps, were found to provide a unique balance of strength and ductility, which surpassed those of conventional (micro-scale) composites.