Strong Carbon‐Nanotube–Polymer Bonding by Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

The vigorous response of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to microwave irradiation, leading to the release of a large amount of heat, is used to locally melt a plastic matrix adjacent to the nanotubes within a period of seconds. This results in the intercalation of the MWNTs into the polymer matrix at room temperature without any physical damage to the polymer. The so‐called “microwave welding” approach creates a new paradigm for the formation of very strong MWNT–polymer bonds without the use of any adhesive, and represents a significant step forward for the fabrication of functional nanotube composites. Here, we demonstrate the implications of the anisotropic alignment of MWNTs in polymers, patterned conductors/resistors for soft electronics, and high‐strength composites, where the MWNTs are ‘soldered' to flexible polymer substrates.

Structure and Characterization of Vertically Aligned Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Bundles

“…Hata et al described the attractive synthesis of highly aligned SWCNTs of millimetric dimensions by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in presence of water vapor [20]. At present, two different fabrication methods for obtaining vertically aligned CNTs are used: (i) the direct growth by thermal catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) [21] and (ii) the screen printing technology from a paste mixture of CNTs [22]. Nevertheless, these approaches have clear limitations, and, in the case of the screen-printing process, the use of organic additives is a serious problem for their application in optoelectronic technology.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Ultrahigh‐Volume‐ Fraction Aligned Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Composites

“…Such millimeter-scale A-CNT NC samples should provide an effective experimental platform for studying topics such as CNT functionalization, polymer modification, interphase formation due to the CNTs, and other processing effects such as microwave bonding. [51] Future studies will address the mechanical and multifunctional properties of the high-volumefraction A-CNT NCs, including similar characterizations using thermoplastics. Ultrahigh-volume-fraction A-CNT NCs have potential for numerous applications, somewhat famously as a material necessary to realize the so-called ''space elevator''.…”

Microwave heating of carbon-based solid materials

“…The first advantage is that microwave welding can be done within a few minutes [7][8][9][10][11][13][14][15]. Specifically, Wang et al [8] reported CNTs subsided into a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate after only 1 s of microwave irradiation.…”

“…creased about 25% after four cycles of adsorption-regeneration process, but the adsorption capacity of the CNTs was 92.8% of the value of original CNTs after four cycles. bulk polymer [8]. Han et al [15] showed an obvious difference between microwave and conventional heating with SWCNTs on polycarbonate.…”

“…Specifically, Wang et al [8] reported CNTs subsided into a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate after only 1 s of microwave irradiation. A second advantage is the selectiveness of the heating.…”