Synergistic toughening of composite fibres by self-alignment of reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes

Min Kyoon Shin, Bommy Lee, Shi Hyeong Kim, Jae Ah Lee, Geoffrey M. Spinks, Sanjeev Gambhir, Gordon G. Wallace, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Ray H. Baughman and Seon Jeong Kim ()
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Min Kyoon Shin: Hanyang University
Bommy Lee: Hanyang University
Shi Hyeong Kim: Hanyang University
Jae Ah Lee: Hanyang University
Geoffrey M. Spinks: ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong
Sanjeev Gambhir: ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong
Gordon G. Wallace: ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong
Mikhail E. Kozlov: The Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute, University of Texas at Dallas
Ray H. Baughman: The Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute, University of Texas at Dallas
Seon Jeong Kim: Hanyang University

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The extraordinary properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes motivate the development of methods for their use in producing continuous, strong, tough fibres. Previous work has shown that the toughness of the carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer fibres exceeds that of previously known materials. Here we show that further increased toughness results from combining carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide flakes in solution-spun polymer fibres. The gravimetric toughness approaches 1,000 J g−1, far exceeding spider dragline silk (165 J g−1) and Kevlar (78 J g−1). This toughness enhancement is consistent with the observed formation of an interconnected network of partially aligned reduced graphene oxide flakes and carbon nanotubes during solution spinning, which act to deflect cracks and allow energy-consuming polymer deformation. Toughness is sensitive to the volume ratio of the reduced graphene oxide flakes to the carbon nanotubes in the spinning solution and the degree of graphene oxidation. The hybrid fibres were sewable and weavable, and could be shaped into high-modulus helical springs.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1661

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