SBIR-STTR Award

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a promise as building blocks for future materials and devices. This STTR Phase I project will focus on the (University-based) theoretical modeling and assessment of mechanical properties, transfer of this knowledge to NanoTechnologies of Texas, Inc. (NTT) which in turn will concentrate its effort on nanotube synthesis, characterization and improvements of the growth conditions. NTT will base the effort on modified catalytic carbon-arc technique as its further improvement currently presents the most promising method for large-volume production. This collaboration will establish correlation between mechanical properties of CNT and their structure. Interaction between the theory and synthesis will also allow to identify further issues to be addressed in Phase II of this STTR effort. The result of Phase I will be design of best-performing CNT. The feasibility proof should lead to general recommendations: (I) types of CNT expected to have better mechanical performance in composites, and (II) what conditions of the growth are likely to preferentially produce these particular types. Further, composites will be prepared and undergo mechanical testing in order to obtain direct information on CNT-matrix and the individual CNT strength.

Keywords:
Nanotubes Composites Modeling

Carbon nanotubes are recognized to possess remarkable electronic and mechanical properties, due to their small size, morphology, and the intrinsic chemical bonding. This notion of unique strength, high thermal, and tunable eletrical conductivity has already evolved from "anticipated" to "well-established" due to detailed theoretical and experimental studies in the research community. However, the benefits remained very little to the industrial or defense applications. This Phase II project between NanoTechnologies of Texas, Inc. and North Carolina State University will provide a necessary connection between the theoretical studies and the actual making and characterization of carbon nanotubes in an industrial setting. We will develop predictive models of nanotubes, their assemblies, and the nanotube-reinforced composites, to guide the in-house synthesis, purification, and testing/characterization. The existing synthetic techniques will expand to further include chemical-vapor-deposition method, to increase the volume and content quality of nanotube products. Several polymercomposites will be prepared for detailed studies, in order (I) to compare their properties with the theoretical predictions and (II)to obtain a reliable assessment of the feasibility of the large-scale production in collaboration with our industrial partners.

Keywords:
Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes, Composites, Polymers Theory, Mathematical Models, Simulations