Preparation and Evaluation of Hybrid Composites of Chemical Fuel and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Study of Thermopower Waves

Abstract

When a chemical fuel at a certain position in a hybrid composite of the fuel and a micro/nanostructured material is ignited, chemical combustion occurs along the interface between the fuel and core materials. Simultaneously, dynamic changes in thermal and chemical potentials across the micro/nanostructured materials result in concomitant electrical energy generation induced by charge transfer in the form of a high-output voltage pulse. We demonstrate the entire procedure of a thermopower wave experiment, from synthesis to evaluation. Thermal chemical vapor deposition and the wet impregnation process are respectively employed for the synthesis of a multi-walled carbon nanotube array and a hybrid composite of picric acid/sodium azide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The prepared hybrid composites are used to fabricate a thermopower wave generator with connecting electrodes. The combustion of the hybrid composite is initiated by laser heating or Joule-heating, and the corresponding combustion propagation, direct electrical energy generation, and real-time temperature changes are measured using a highspeed microscopy system, an oscilloscope, and an optical pyrometer, respectively. Furthermore, the crucial strategies to be adopted in the synthesis of hybrid composite and initiation of their combustion that enhance the overall thermopower wave energy transfer are proposed. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at

Doped and Decorated Carbon Nanomaterials

“…The importance of the present SWCNT and MWCNT obtained by controlled CVD can be figure out by examining some works from literature. For example, it has been reported by Hwang and co-workers [4] that thermal CVD and the wet impregnation process are respectively employed for the synthesis of a multi-walled carbon nanotube array and a hybrid composite of picric acid/sodium azide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The prepared hybrid composites have been efficiently used to fabricate a thermopower wave generator with connecting electrodes [4].…”

“…For example, it has been reported by Hwang and co-workers [4] that thermal CVD and the wet impregnation process are respectively employed for the synthesis of a multi-walled carbon nanotube array and a hybrid composite of picric acid/sodium azide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The prepared hybrid composites have been efficiently used to fabricate a thermopower wave generator with connecting electrodes [4]. In addition, Hsieh and co-workers have recently reported [6] that hierarchical carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs) brush is better than the carbon brush alone for the commutation ability and wear in gasoline.…”

“…This includes smart grids with active-adaptive elements [2] of the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC) [3]. The challenge is to create novel generators [4], consumer electrical installations [5], energy storage devices [6,7], commutators [8,9] and controlling grids [10,11] providing simultaneous transfer of electrical energy and information. For example, simultaneously, dynamic changes in thermal and chemical potentials across the micro/nanostructured materials result in concomitant electrical energy generators [4] induced by charge transfer in the form of a high-output voltage pulse.…”

“…The challenge is to create novel generators [4], consumer electrical installations [5], energy storage devices [6,7], commutators [8,9] and controlling grids [10,11] providing simultaneous transfer of electrical energy and information. For example, simultaneously, dynamic changes in thermal and chemical potentials across the micro/nanostructured materials result in concomitant electrical energy generators [4] induced by charge transfer in the form of a high-output voltage pulse. For the case of electricity transmission and distribution, novel carbon nanomaterials play a vital role in society by connecting electricity producers and consumers with efficiency [5].…”