Magnetically anisotropic additive for scalable manufacturing of polymer nanocomposite: Iron-Coated carbon nanotubes

Namiko Yamamoto, Harish Manohara, Ellen Platzman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Novel nanoparticles additives for polymer nanocomposites were prepared by coating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with ferromagnetic iron (Fe) layers, so that their micro-structures can be bulkcontrolled by external magnetic field application. Application of magnetic fields is a promising, scalable method to deliver bulk amount of nanocomposites while maintaining organized nanoparticle assembly throughout the uncured polymer matrix. In this work, Fe layers (∼18 nmthick) were deposited on CNTs (∼38 nmdiameter and∼50 μmlength) to form thin films with high aspect ratio, resulting in a dominance of shape anisotropy and thus high coercivity of∼50-100 Oe. The Fe-coated CNTs were suspended in water and applied with a weak magnetic field of∼75 G, and yet preliminary magnetic assembly was confirmed. Our results demonstrate that the fabricated Fe-coated CNTs are magnetically anisotropic and effectively respond to magnetic fields that are∼103 times smaller than other existing work (∼105 G).We anticipate this work will pave the way for effective property enhancement and bulk application of CNT-polymer nanocomposites, through controlled microstructure and scalable manufacturing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number025004
JournalMaterials Research Express
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Metals and Alloys

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