High volume fraction and uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes in aluminium powders

Author

Zhiqiang Li ; Lin Jiang ; Genlian Fan ; Yong Xu ; Di Zhang ; Zhixin Chen ; Humphries, S.

Author_Institution

State Key Lab. of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ., Shanghai, China

Volume

5

Issue

6

fYear

2010

fDate

12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

379

Lastpage

381

Abstract

A slurry-based powder process was developed to disperse a high volume fraction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aluminium (Al) powders. In this process, Al nanoflake powders with a high surface area were used and the powder surface was modified by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrosol before being mixed with CNTs aqueous dispersion. The PVA modification resulted in the formation of a hydrophilic membrane on the Al surface, which enhanced the water wettability and makes the surface property of the Al powder more compatible with that of the CNTs. Furthermore, the PVA membrane forms relatively strong bonds with the CNTs and prevent them from agglomeration during subsequent processing. Consequently, a high volume fraction and uniform dispersion of up to 10 vol CNTs was achieved in the Al nanoflake powders.

Keywords

adsorption; aluminium; carbon nanotubes; disperse systems; hydrophilicity; nanoparticles; powders; wetting; Al; C; agglomeration; carbon nanotubes; dispersion; nanoflake powders; polyvinyl alcohol hydrosol; slurry-based powder process; surface area; wettability;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Micro & Nano Letters, IET

Publisher

iet

ISSN

1750-0443

Type

jour

DOI

10.1049/mnl.2010.0158

Filename

5665910