Carbon Nanotube Film/Fiber-Based Hybrids by Professor Chang Liu

NTU MSE Seminar Hosted by Professor Li Shuzhou

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with unique one-dimensional tubular structure and excellent physical and chemical properties are considered an ideal reinforcement for various composites. However, CNTs, especially single-wall CNTs (SWCNTs) with tiny diameters, are quite difficult to disperse, which has hindered the development of SWCNT-based composites. In this presentation, we report on the fabrication and properties of hybrid materials based on pre-formed SWCNT thin films and fibers. SWCNT fibers with diameters of 20-30 microns were fabricated by a wet-spinning process. Then, a SWCNT/Cu core-shell fiber was prepared by a combined magnetron sputtering and electrochemical deposition method, which showed an ultra-high specific electrical conductivity of 1.15×10⁴ S m² kg^-1. To improve the carrier density of CNT fibers, FeCl₃ nanoparticles were filled inside the cavity of the composing individual CNTs. The FeCl3-filled CNT fibers showed a high electrical conductivity of 1.35 × 10⁷ S m⁻¹ and a tensile strength of 2.54 GPa. SWCNTs were directly deposited onto a porous substrate to form thin films with tunable thicknesses. A flexible SWCNT/Bi₂Te₃ hybrid was prepared by magnetron sputtering using SWCNT network as a scaffold. The obtained SWCNT/Bi₂Te₃ film shows excellent thermoelectric performance and flexibility. Nano Pt/SWCNT hybrid membranes containing ultra-fine Pt nano cubes along the groove of SWCNT bundles were prepared and used as a membrane electrode, which showed excellent electrocatalytic performance for ammonia oxidation. 

Biography

Professor Chang Liu
Institute of Metal Research
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang

Dr. Chang Liu is a professor at the Shenyang National Laboratory of Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMR, CAS). He received his Ph.D. in materials science at IMR, CAS in 2000. During 2004-2005, he worked at the International Center for Young Scientists, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan as a research fellow. His research interest focuses on the preparation, properties and applications of carbon nanotubes and their hybrids. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers with more than 20000 citations. He has more than 40 patents and has given more than 50 invited talks at international conferences. He is currently an Editor of the Carbon and Nano Materials Science journals.