Extreme Dynamic Performance of Nanofiber Mats under Supersonic Impacts Mediated by Interfacial Hydrogen Bonds

Abstract

Achieving extreme dynamic performance in nanofibrous materials requires synergistic exploitation of intrinsic nanofiber properties and inter-fiber interactions. Regardless of the superior intrinsic stiffness and strength of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the weak nature of van der Waals interactions limits the CNT mats from achieving greater performance. We present an efficient approach to augment the inter-fiber interactions by introducing aramid nanofiber (ANF) links between CNTs, which forms stronger and reconfigurable interfacial hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions, leading to synergistic performance improvement with failure retardation. Under supersonic impacts, strengthened interactions in CNT mats enhance their specific energy absorption up to 3.6 MJ/kg, which outperforms widely used bulk Kevlar-fiber-based protective materials. The distinct response time scales of hydrogen bond breaking and reformation at ultrahigh-strain-rate (∼107–108 s–1) deformations additionally manifest a strain-rate-dependent dynamic performance enhancement. Our findings show the potential of nanofiber mats augmented with interfacial dynamic bondssuch as the hydrogen bondsas low-density structural materials with superior specific properties and high-temperature stability for extreme engineering applications.

Enhancing Bioinspired Aramid Nanofiber Networks by Interfacial Hydrogen Bonds for Multiprotection under an Extreme Environment

“…The E p * value of a C-ANF network could reach 7.34 MJ/kg, whose performance was better than those of common macro/nano protective materials reported previously while the density was only 205.4 kg/m 3 (Figure h and Table S3). Many nano materials have been proven to have excellent mechanical properties under extreme dynamic impact. , However, the limitation of the nano scale made the relevant research lack an exploration of the practical application. In this work, C-ANF networks were tailored to resemble the wings of a bionic aircraft (Figure i), and irregular salt particles fired from air guns were used to shock the flying artificial insects to simulate the impact of particles (such as sand, snow, rain, etc.)…”

MXene-decorated flexible Al2O3/TiO2 nanofibrous mats with self-adaptive stress dispersion towards multifunctional desalination

“…22 However, the mechanical enhancement of a single nanober fails to equate to that of the entire nano-brous mat. 23 Welding nanobers at their cross points to toughen nanobrous mats has received much attention. 24 Herein, we create a robust, exible nanobrous mat with high photocatalytic properties prepared using the stress dispersion method, followed by loading the MXene sheets onto the mat to desalinate and purify seawater.…”

“…22 However, the mechanical enhancement of a single nanofiber fails to equate to that of the entire nanofibrous mat. 23 Welding nanofibers at their cross points to toughen nanofibrous mats has received much attention. 24…”

Mechanically Robust and Elastic Graphene/Aramid Nanofiber/Polyaniline Nanotube Aerogels for Pressure Sensors

“…The good mechanical strength is another important parameter to endow graphene-based aerogels with the extended applications including sensors, which are potential in medical health devices, wearable electronics, and intelligent packaging fields. − To enhance the mechanical strength of graphene aerogels, 1D nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotubes, nanocelluloses, , and nanofibers , ) usually be employed as bridges to tightly interconnect the graphene sheets, enabling the architecture to possess good structural stability. Aramid nanofiber (ANF), an emerging nanofiber with high mechanical strength, high aspect ratio, impressive thermal and chemical stability, has been extensively applied in composite reinforcement in recent years. ,− For example, Lv et al introduced the ANF into the silk nanofibrils by mixing silk fibroin and ANF aqueous dispersion with different ANF contents (0–4%) to fabricate the reinforced composite membranes, which potentially would be applied in pressure-driven filtration membranes and flexible electronic devices. Lin et al integrated the ANF in an epoxy resin with ANF contents of 0–3%, leading to the increase in elastic modulus and strength for the composites .…”