CNT-Reinforced Composite Textile Fiber
topic
CNT-reinforced composite fibers incorporate functionalized MWCNTs (carboxylated or amino-functionalized, 0.5–5.0 wt%) into polymer matrices (polyamide, polyester, polyacrylonitrile) via melt extrusion or wet spinning. Homogeneous CNT dispersion requires high-shear mixing (rotor-stator at 10,000–20,000 rpm) or ultrasonication (400–600 W, 30–60 min) to overcome Van der Waals agglomeration. Tensile modulus increases from 2.5 GPa to 4.0–6.5 GPa at 3 wt% MWCNT in polyamide-6. Impact resistance improves 40–60% for CNT-reinforced PAN-based carbon fiber precursor, increasing final carbon fiber tenacity from 3.5 to 4.5 GPa. Percolation threshold for electrical conductivity is reached at 0.1–0.5 wt% MWCNT, enabling antistatic fibers (surface resistivity 10⁸–10¹⁰ Ω/sq) at minimal loading.
Role
Produces mechanically superior synthetic fibers for lightweight ballistic protection, aerospace composite reinforcement, and antistatic cleanroom textiles, leveraging CNT reinforcement to exceed performance limitations of conventional polymer fiber systems.