Rheological Properties of MWCNT-Doped Titanium-Oxo-Alkoxide Gel Materials for Fiber Drawing

Abstract

A strategy of doping by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to enhance mechanical strength and the electrical conductivity of ceramic fibers has nowadays attracted a great deal of attention for a wide variety of industrial applications. This study focuses on the effect of MWCNTs on rheological properties of metal alkoxide precursors used for the preparation of nanoceramic metal oxide fibers. The rheological behavior of MWCNT-loaded titanium alkoxide sol precursors has been evaluated via an extensional rheometry method. A substantial decrease in elongational viscosity and relaxation time has been observed upon an introduction of MWCNTs even of low concentrations (less than 0.1 wt.%). A high quality MWCNT/nanoceramic TiO2 composite fibers drawn from the specified precursors has been validated. The MWCNT percolation, which is mandatory for electrical conductivity (50 S/m), has been achieved at 1 wt.% MWCNT doping.

Polymer Rheology and Processing of Nano- and Micro-Composites

“…One of the main challenges in the preparation of reinforced composites is obtaining uniformly dispersed fillers in the polymeric matrix. Fillers, especially in the case of nanomaterials, tend to agglomerate with a non-homogeneous distribution, which can act as defects [ 9 ]. This scenario is likely to promote stress concentration with the subsequent failure of the material [ 10 ].…”