Salvetat Jean-Paul, Bhattacharyya Sanjib, Pipes R Byron
CNRS, Centre de Recherche sur la Matière Divisée, UMR6619, Orléans, France.
J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2006 Jul;6(7):1857-82. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2006.305.
This review focuses on the most recent progress in understanding mechanical properties of individual carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon nanotube arrays, random networks, and polymer matrix composites. The key factors that influence the mechanical properties of these new (nano)materials are identified and discussed. The critical issue appears to be the load transfer efficiency; between nanotubes when organized in bundles, ropes, and networks; between matrix and nanotubes in composites. Among the different paths used to increase load transfer, cross-linking by irradiation is emphasized. A particular attention is paid on the role of nanotubes as nucleating agents in polymer composites, initiating the formation of a crystalline polymer sheath that has important consequence on the mechanical properties. The reinforcing element to be considered in that case is not CNT alone but CNT covered with a cylinder of crystalline polymer. Whereas a lot of effort has been focused on the problem of dispersion, it appears that the problem of nanotube-matrix interphase is almost as important. Recent works show that appropriate surface functionalization can be used both to improve dispersion and tailor the interphase. Nanotube surface engineering combined with methods producing oriented nanocomposites should bring exceptional materials in the near future.
本综述聚焦于理解单根碳纳米管（CNT）、碳纳米管阵列、随机网络以及聚合物基复合材料力学性能方面的最新进展。识别并讨论了影响这些新型（纳米）材料力学性能的关键因素。关键问题似乎是负载转移效率；在以束、绳和网络形式排列的纳米管之间；在复合材料的基体和纳米管之间。在用于提高负载转移的不同途径中，强调了辐照交联。特别关注纳米管作为聚合物复合材料中成核剂的作用，它引发结晶聚合物鞘的形成，这对力学性能有重要影响。在这种情况下要考虑的增强元素不是单根CNT，而是覆盖有结晶聚合物圆柱体的CNT。尽管很多努力都集中在分散问题上，但纳米管 - 基体界面相问题似乎几乎同样重要。近期研究表明，适当的表面功能化可用于改善分散以及调整界面相。纳米管表面工程与制备取向纳米复合材料的方法相结合，有望在不久的将来带来优异的材料。
