Morphology-Controlled ZnO Nanowire Arrays for Tailored Hybrid Composites with High Damping

Abstract

Hybrid fiber reinforced composites using a nanoscale reinforcement of the interface have not reached their optimal performance in practical applications due to their complex design and the challenging assembly of their multiscale components. One promising approach to the fabrication of hybrid composites is the growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire arrays on the surface of carbon fibers to provide improved interfacial strength and out of plane reinforcement. However, this approach has been demonstrated mainly on fibers and thus still requires complex processing conditions. Here we demonstrate a simple approach to the fabrication of such composites through the growth of the nanowires on the fabric. The fabricated composites with nanostructured graded interphase not only exhibit remarkable damping enhancement but also stiffness improvement. It is demonstrated that these two extremely important properties of the composite can be controlled by tuning the morphology of the ZnO nanowires at the interface. Higher damping and flexural rigidity of these composites over traditional ones offer practical high-performance composites.

Tailored interyarn friction in aramid fabrics through morphology control of surface grown ZnO nanowires

“…In previous experimental and analytical studies, it was shown that the growth of vertically aligned ZnO nanowires on carbon fiber led to improvements of interfacial shear strength as well as enhanced energy dissipation [20][21][22][23][24][25]. The strong nanowire interface is created through increased surface area, which is advantageous for van der Waals bonding, and strengthened mechanical interlocking between the nanowires and epoxy matrix [23].…”

Continuous wet-process growth of ZnO nanoarrays for wire-shaped photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cell

“…For another thing, micro-turbulent flow around the wire complicates the interaction on the solution/substrate interface, resulting in enlarged defects [22]. Furthermore, most studies on wetprocess growth of longer oxide nanowire were based on repeated batch-type hydrothermal reaction [23,24]. To provide better optimization for the device structure, the ZnO growth process should be finely controlled continuously, aiming to synthesize wellaligned array of nanowires with continuously-adjustable length and morphology.…”

Transversely isotropic viscoelastic materials: Contact mechanics and friction

“…This is of importance in modelling the contact of soft biological tissues such as, muscles, skin and brainstem. Mechanical properties of the novel composites can be controlled and tuned by morphology, distribution and alignment processes to achieve the desired characteristics [21]. Moreover, fiber reinforced composites can (depending on the direction of the fibers in the composite) show transversely isotropic characteristics.…”