Multifunctional Nanocomposites

Polymer matrix composite materials are filled with nanosized fillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and nanofibers. The properties of the composites can be improved, for example, stiffness, electrical and thermal conductivity and temperature stability. Our researches mainly focus on carbon nanopaper (buckypaper) and their multifunctional composites and multifunctional electrospun nanofibers.

(a) Carbon nanopaper (buckypaper) is made of pure CNT, graphene, carbon nanofibers and other carbon nanomaterials, which are bonded by Van der Waals forces to form 2D membranes. Carbon nanopaper can be embedded in the polymer matrix to fabricate the multifunctional composites which have high electrical conductivity and high electric heating performance. The carbon nanopaper multifunctional composites can be used in many fields such as self-sensing, deicing, EMI-shielding, and anti-lightning strike.

Fig. 1 Carbon nanotube paper-glass fiber-epoxy composite materials and the application in deicing

(b) Electrospun nanofibers: including shape memory Nafion nanofibers, shape memory Epocy/PCL nanofibers, shape memory Chitosan/Poly (ethylene oxide) nanofibers, PAN-based carbon nanofibers,  PANI/PAN/CNT  nanofibers.

Fig. 2 SEM image of nanofibers with different structures