Three-dimensional Sponges with Super Mechanical Stability: Harnessing True Elasticity of Individual Carbon Nanotubes in Macroscopic Architectures

Abstract

Efficient assembly of carbon nanotube (CNT) based cellular solids with appropriate structure is the key to fully realize the potential of individual nanotubes in macroscopic architecture. In this work, the macroscopic CNT sponge consisting of randomly interconnected individual carbon nanotubes was grown by CVD, exhibiting a combination of super-elasticity, high strength to weight ratio, fatigue resistance, thermo-mechanical stability and electro-mechanical stability. To deeply understand such extraordinary mechanical performance compared to that of conventional cellular materials and other nanostructured cellular architectures, a thorough study on the response of this CNT-based spongy structure to compression is conducted based on classic elastic theory. The strong inter-tube bonding between neighboring nanotubes is examined, believed to play a critical role in the reversible deformation such as bending and buckling without structural collapse under compression. Based on in-situ scanning electron microscopy observation and nanotube deformation analysis, structural evolution (completely elastic bending-buckling transition) of the carbon nanotubes sponges to deformation is proposed to clarify their mechanical properties and nonlinear electromechanical coupling behavior.

Furan and Pyran Functional Groups Driven the Surface of Nitrogen‐Doped Nanofiber Sponges

“…reported how a 3D structure whit covalent junctions between graphitic structure and CNT withstands loads of 2.3 GPa. However, for the case of similar carbon sponge‐type structures are reported to support around 60 kPa or 100 kPa . For the smaller cylinder, this support lower stress after breaking (6.1 MPa) but had higher compression support up to 63% strain.…”

“…For example, using the single wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphene intercalation, and other combinations, several nanostructured architectures have been fabricated . Dai et al . created a carbon nanotube sponge using a pumped chemical vapor deposition (CVD) device and 1,2‐dichlorobenzene, ferrocene on a piece of quartz glass.…”

Offenzellige Schwämme mit niedrigen Dichten als Funktionsmaterialien

“…CVD‐Beschichtungen wurden ebenfalls für die direkte Herstellung von Schwämmen, besonders aus kohlenstoffbasierten Materialien, genutzt. Typischerweise wird eine Kohlenstoffquelle zusammen mit einer Katalysatorvorstufe verdampft, was die Bildung eines CNT‐basierten Schwammes zur Folge hat –,. Von der klassischen CVD‐basierten Synthese von CNTs abweichend, nutzten Gui et al ,.…”

An Ultralight Graphene Honeycomb Sandwich for Stretchable Light‐Emitting Displays

“…Apart from significantly enhanced electrical conductivities arising from the prepercolated conductive networks, a key advantage of such 3D conductive networks is that the electrical conductivity of such a composite may not be much reduced by external loads until the failure of materials . A variety of 3D conductive networks have hitherto been developed, such as foams, sponges, and aerogels constructed by metal nanowires, CNTs, and graphene . Among them, the 3D graphene structure exhibits particularly exceptional performance due to the large aspect ratio and excellent electrical conductivity of graphene.…”