Carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization preparation device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a preparation device for continuous metallization of a carbon nanotube fiber surface. The carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization preparation device comprises a pay-off assembly, a first metal layer forming assembly, a washing assembly, a second metal layer forming assembly, a protective film forming assembly and a take-up assembly which are arranged in sequence. The first metal layer forming assembly is used for forming a first metal layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber, the washing assembly is used for cleaning the carbon nanotube fiber after the first metal layer is formed on the surface, and the second metal layer forming assembly is used for replacing the first metal layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber with a second metal layer; the protective film forming assembly is used for forming a protective film on the surface of the second metal layer. According to the device, the frictional resistance in the metallization preparation process of the carbon nano tube fibers is reduced, and the fracture risk of the carbon nano tube fibers is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model particularly relates to a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of a carbon nanotube fiber, belonging to the technical field of fiber metallization treatment. Background Art

[0002] Carbon fiber and its composite materials, as a new type of conductor material, have the characteristics of light weight, high conductivity, high strength and high current carrying capacity. Combined with its advantages of light weight and flexibility, it has gradually replaced traditional metal conductive materials and is widely used in aerospace, national defense, military, civil electronics and other fields.

[0003] The metallized carbon nanotube fiber composite material obtained by covering the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber with a metal conductive layer not only retains the lightweight and flexible characteristics of the carbon nanotube fiber, but also increases the conductivity and current carrying capacity of the carbon nanotube fiber. At the same time, the carbon nanotube fiber and the metal coating infiltrate each other, enhancing the interface bonding force, tensile strength and bending resistance of the composite conductive fiber.

[0004] The surface metallization of carbon nanotubes mainly uses electroplating and chemical plating to coat the fiber surface with metals, such as copper, nickel, gold, silver, etc. The metal anode is dissolved by using an external potential or the difference in electronegativity between metals and deposited on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber through a metal salt solution to form a metal coating, thus realizing the continuous preparation of the surface metallization of carbon nanotube fibers.

[0005] However, there are certain problems in the metallization preparation process of carbon nanotube fibers. For example, the fibers break due to excessive tension during the preparation process, the metal coating and the carbon nanotube fiber surface do not wet and have poor interface bonding, the carbon nanotube fibers have different cross-sections and uneven conductivity, the carbon nanotube fibers are continuously plated with multiple metals and the plating time of different metals is difficult to adjust and match, and the carbon nanotube fiber metallization process has difficulty in accurately controlling and timely adjusting the take-up speed.

[0006] Specifically, the current carbon fiber surface metallization mainly has the following problems:

[0007] 1) The carbon nanotube fiber metallization preparation process has large fiber friction resistance and is prone to breakage during the continuous winding process.

[0008] The preparation process of carbon nanotube fiber surface metallization, taking gold plating as an example, the preparation devices are a pay-off device, a nickel electroplating tank, a washing tank, a gold plating tank, a gold protective agent tank and a take-up device, etc. The entire carbon nanotube fiber metallization preparation process has a long processing time, a long pay-off distance, many fiber corners, and high friction resistance, which results in excessive force on the fiber in the take-up process and causes it to break, making it impossible to take up the fiber continuously and stably.

[0009] 2) Non-wettability of carbon nanotube fiber surface and plated metal.

[0010] The surface of carbon nanotube fiber is plated with copper layer (or gold layer). The non-wetting between copper and carbon interface will reduce the interfacial bonding force between copper layer and internal carbon nanotube fiber in composite fiber. When subjected to force, copper layer is in the outer layer and generally slides, dislocates and breaks at the interface before internal carbon nanotube fiber, causing the effective strength of fiber to be much lower than its breaking strength. Improving the wettability of plated metal and carbon nanotube fiber surface is the key to metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface.

[0011] 3) The conductivity of carbon nanotube fibers is uneven, resulting in large current fluctuations through the fibers during the constant voltage nickel electroplating process and uneven nickel coating.

[0012] If the nickel layer is too thick, the flexibility of the carbon nanotube fiber will be affected, making it easy to bend and break, and will affect the replacement of gold and nickel in the next gold plating tank, and ultimately the nickel layer will remain on the surface of the gold-plated carbon nanotube fiber; if the nickel layer is too thin or even discontinuous, it will directly lead to a thin and discontinuous gold layer, and the gold-plated carbon nanotube fiber will have discontinuous metallic luster and poor fiber conductivity.

[0013] 4) Continuous metal plating time does not match and is difficult to adjust.

[0014] When a carbon nanotube fiber is plated with multiple metals in the same channel, under the condition of a certain fiber winding rate, the fiber plating time in different tanks is difficult to adjust and match due to the length limitation of the electrolytic tank for different plated metals, which affects the thickness of different metal coatings and ultimately affects the conductivity and flexibility of the carbon nanotube fiber. Utility Model Content

[0015] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface, to optimize and innovate the device for carbon nanotube fiber metallization, and to solve the problems of easy breakage of carbon nanotube fiber during winding, poor interface bonding between the coating and the carbon nanotube fiber, mismatch and difficulty in adjusting the continuous metal plating time, and inaccurate winding rate.

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned utility model purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model includes:

[0017] The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface, comprising:

[0018] A wire-paying assembly, a wire-receiving assembly, and a first metal layer forming assembly, a water washing assembly, a second metal layer forming assembly, and a protective film forming assembly sequentially arranged between the wire-paying assembly and the wire-receiving assembly along the traveling direction of the carbon nanotube fiber;

[0019] The first metal layer forming component is used to form a first metal layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber, the water washing component is used to clean the carbon nanotube fiber after the first metal layer is formed on the surface, the second metal layer forming component is used to replace the first metal layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber with a second metal layer, the protective film forming component is used to form a protective film on the surface of the second metal layer, the take-up component is used to drive the carbon nanotube fiber from the pay-off component to continuously pass through the first metal layer forming component, the water washing component, the second metal layer forming component and the protective film forming component in sequence, and to collect the carbon nanotube fibers that have completed metallization.

[0020] In a more specific embodiment, the pay-off assembly includes a rotating mechanism and a spraying mechanism. The rotating mechanism is used to load the carbon nanotube fiber bundle and can rotate freely around its own axis. The spraying mechanism is used to spray the carbon nanotube fibers.

[0021] Furthermore, the rotating mechanism includes a first bracket, a fixed shaft and a bearing, the fixed shaft is fixed on the first bracket, the inner ring of the bearing is fixed on the fixed shaft, and the carbon nanotube fiber bundle is arranged on the outer ring of the bearing and can rotate with the outer ring.

[0022] In a more specific embodiment, the first metal layer forming component includes an electroplating tank, a pair of cathode rods, a pair of anode plates and at least one first limit rod, the pair of cathode rods are spaced apart along a first direction and electrically connected to the negative pole of an external power supply, a pair of anode plates are spaced apart along a second direction in the electroplating tank and electrically connected to the positive pole of the external power supply, the first limit rod is arranged in the electroplating tank, the first limit rod is between the pair of cathode rods along the first direction, and, in the vertical direction, the horizontal position of the portion of the first limit rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber is lower than the horizontal position of the portion of the cathode rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber.

[0023] In a more specific embodiment, the first metal layer forming component further includes a second bracket, the first limiting rod is movably disposed on the second bracket, and the position of the first limiting rod on the second bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0024] Furthermore, the first limiting rod is movably connected to the second bracket by means of sliding fit.

[0025] Furthermore, the cathode rod and the anode plate are fixed on the second bracket.

[0026] Furthermore, the second bracket is fixedly disposed on the electroplating tank, or the second bracket and the electroplating tank are integrated.

[0027] Furthermore, the portions of the cathode rod and the first limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fibers have a continuous rounded structure, and / or the cathode rod and the first limiting rod can rotate around their own axes.

[0028] In a more specific embodiment, the preparation device for continuous metallization of the carbon nanotube fiber surface also includes: a first heating component, which is thermally coordinated with the electroplating tank and is at least used to heat the liquid system located in the electroplating tank.

[0029] Furthermore, the first heating component includes a first constant temperature water bath mechanism, and the electroplating tank is arranged in the first constant temperature water bath mechanism.

[0030] In a more specific embodiment, the water washing component includes a water washing tank and a second limiting rod, wherein the second limiting rod is disposed in the water washing tank and can contact the carbon nanotube fiber and immerse it in the cleaning liquid in the water washing tank.

[0031] Furthermore, the water washing component also includes a third bracket, and the second limiting rod is movably arranged on the third bracket, and the position of the second limiting rod on the second bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the second limiting rod is movably connected to the third bracket by means of sliding fit.

[0033] Furthermore, the third bracket is fixedly arranged on the water washing tank, or the third bracket and the water washing tank are arranged as one body.

[0034] Furthermore, the portion of the second limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure, and / or the second limiting rod can rotate around its own axis.

[0035] In a more specific embodiment, the second metal layer forming component includes a replacement reaction tank, a pair of guide rods and a third limiting rod, the pair of guide rods are arranged at intervals along the third direction, the third limiting rod is arranged inside the replacement reaction tank and between the pair of guide rods along the third direction, and, in the vertical direction, the horizontal position of the portion of the third limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber is lower than the horizontal position of the portion of the guide rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber.

[0036] Furthermore, the second metal layer forming assembly also includes a fourth bracket, the third limiting rod is movably arranged on the fourth bracket, and the position of the third limiting rod on the fourth bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0037] Furthermore, the third limiting rod is movably connected to the fourth bracket by means of sliding fit.

[0038] Furthermore, the guide rod is fixedly arranged on the fourth bracket.

[0039] Furthermore, the fourth bracket is fixedly disposed on the replacement reaction tank, or the fourth bracket and the replacement reaction tank are integrally disposed.

[0040] Furthermore, the portion of the third limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure, and / or the third limiting rod can rotate around its own axis.

[0041] In a more specific embodiment, the preparation device for continuous metallization of the carbon nanotube fiber surface also includes: a second heating component, which is thermally coordinated with the replacement reaction tank and is at least used to heat the liquid system located in the water washing tank.

[0042] Furthermore, the second heating component includes a second constant temperature water bath mechanism, and the replacement reaction tank is arranged in the second constant temperature water bath mechanism.

[0043] In a more specific embodiment, the protective film forming component includes a protective agent groove and a fourth limiting rod, wherein the fourth limiting rod is arranged in the protective agent groove, and the fourth limiting rod can contact the carbon nanotube fiber and immerse it in the protective agent in the protective agent groove, thereby forming a protective film on the surface of the second metal layer.

[0044] Furthermore, the protective film forming assembly also includes a fifth bracket, the fourth limiting rod is movably arranged on the fifth bracket, and the position of the fourth limiting rod on the fifth bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0045] Furthermore, the fourth limiting rod is movably connected to the fifth bracket by means of sliding fit.

[0046] Furthermore, the fifth bracket is fixedly disposed on the protective agent slot, or the fifth bracket and the protective agent slot are integrally disposed.

[0047] Furthermore, the portion of the fourth limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure, and / or the fourth limiting rod can rotate around its own axis.

[0048] In a more specific embodiment, the wire take-up assembly includes a wire take-up shaft and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism is drivingly connected to the wire take-up shaft and is used to drive the wire take-up shaft to rotate.

[0049] Furthermore, the wire take-up assembly also includes a rotation speed display, and the rotation speed display is connected to the driving mechanism.

[0050] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the utility model include:

[0051] 1) The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, which reduces the friction resistance in the metallization preparation process of carbon nanotube fibers and reduces the risk of carbon nanotube fibers breaking;

[0052] 2) The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, which enhances the wettability and interface bonding strength between the surface of the carbon nanotube fibers and the plated metal;

[0053] 3) The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, which enhances the conductive stability of the carbon nanotube fibers and makes the coating thickness more uniform;

[0054] 4) The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, which optimizes the matching of the nickel plating and gold plating time of the carbon nanotube fibers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0056] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0057] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0058] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a line-laying assembly provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0059] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a nickel electroplating assembly provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0060] Figure 5 It is a front view of a nickel electroplating component provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0061] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a gold-plated component provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0062] Figure 7 It is a front view of a gold-plated component provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model;

[0063] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of a wire take-up assembly provided in a typical implementation case of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the inventor of this case has proposed the technical solution of the utility model after long-term research and extensive practice. The following will further explain the technical solution, its implementation process and principle in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation cases. It should be noted that the following specific implementation cases are intended to explain and illustrate the structure and working principle of the preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of a carbon nanotube fiber. Unless otherwise specified, the spray mechanism, bearings, copper rods, nickel plates, drive motors, displays, etc. used in the following specific implementation cases can be purchased from the market or obtained by conventional processes known to those skilled in the art, and their specific models are not limited here.

[0065] See also Figure 1 A preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, comprising a pay-off assembly 10, a nickel electroplating assembly (i.e., the aforementioned first metal layer forming assembly, the same below) 20, a water washing assembly 30, a gold plating assembly (i.e., the aforementioned second metal layer forming assembly, the same below) 40, a protective film forming assembly 50 and a take-up assembly 60 which are arranged in sequence, the carbon nanotube fiber bundle is installed on the pay-off assembly 10, one end of the carbon nanotube fiber 100 is fixed on the take-up assembly 60, and the carbon nanotube fiber 100 is driven by the take-up assembly 60 to continuously pass through the nickel electroplating assembly 20, the water washing assembly 30, the gold plating assembly 40, and the protective film forming assembly 50 in sequence, and is gradually collected by the take-up assembly 60.

[0066] Specifically, the pay-out assembly 10 is mainly used to install the carbon nanotube fiber bundle, and rotates and pays out the wire when the take-up assembly 60 pulls the carbon nanotube fibers. It should be noted that the carbon nanotube fibers on the pay-out assembly 10 are carbon nanotube fibers that have been pre-treated by palladium catalysis, degumming, etc., and the carbon nanotube fibers collected by the take-up assembly 60 are carbon nanotube fibers that have completed metallization treatment.

[0067] Please also read Figure 2 and Figure 3The pay-off assembly 10 includes a rotating mechanism 11, which can rotate freely around its own axis, and the carbon nanotube fiber bundle is fixed on the rotating mechanism 11 and can rotate with the rotating mechanism 11, so as to realize the pay-off action; more specifically, the rotating mechanism 11 includes a first bracket, a fixed shaft 111 and a bearing 112, both ends of the fixed shaft 111 are detachably mounted on the first bracket, the inner ring of the bearing 112 is fixed on the fixed shaft, and the carbon nanotube fiber bundle is arranged on the outer ring of the bearing 112 and can rotate with the outer ring. More specifically, the bearing 112 can be a ceramic bearing, and the outer ring surface of the ceramic bearing is smooth, which can reduce the sliding friction between the carbon nanotube fiber 100 and the rotating mechanism 11. More specifically, the pay-off assembly 10 may include a plurality of rotating mechanisms 11, and a carbon nanotube fiber bundle is arranged on each rotating mechanism 11.

[0068] Specifically, the pay-off assembly 10 also includes a spray mechanism 12. The rotating mechanism 11 is used to load the carbon nanotube fiber bundle. The spray mechanism 12 is used to spray the carbon nanotube fibers 100 to wet the carbon nanotube fibers and enhance the conductive uniformity of the carbon nanotube fibers. More specifically, each spray mechanism 12 is arranged downstream of the rotating mechanism 11 along the traveling direction of the carbon nanotube fibers. Exemplarily, the spray liquid provided by the spray mechanism 12 can be deionized water, etc.

[0069] Specifically, the nickel electroplating assembly 20 is used to form a nickel layer (ie, the aforementioned first metal layer, the same below) on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber 100. Figure 4 The nickel electroplating assembly 20 includes an electroplating tank 21, a pair of cathode copper rods 23, a pair of anode nickel plates 22 and at least one first limiting rod 24, wherein the pair of cathode copper rods 23 are spaced apart along a first direction and electrically connected to the negative pole of an external power source, the pair of anode nickel plates 22 are spaced apart along a second direction in the electroplating tank 21 and electrically connected to the positive pole of the external power source, the first limiting rod 24 is disposed in the electroplating tank 21, the first limiting rod 24 is between the pair of cathode copper rods 23 along the first direction, and in the vertical direction, the horizontal position of the portion of the first limiting rod 24 in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber is lower than the horizontal position of the portion of the cathode copper rod 23 in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber In the horizontal position, the carbon nanotube fiber 100 released by the self-release assembly 10 is in frictional contact with the upper surface of a pair of cathode copper rods 23, and is immersed in the electrolyte in the electroplating tank 21 through the bottom of the two first limit rods 24, and is combined with the anode nickel plate 22 and the external power supply to form a closed electrolytic cell loop. By adjusting the external power supply voltage and the depth of the first limit rod 24 (controlling the immersion length of the carbon nanotube fiber), the current density on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber is sensitively controlled to achieve stable and controllable nickel plating on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber, wherein the second direction intersects with the first direction, preferably is vertically intersected, and the first direction can be the traveling direction of the carbon nanotube fiber.

[0070] Specifically, the parts of the cathode copper rod 23 and the first limiting rod 24 that are in contact with the carbon nanotube fibers have a continuous rounded structure, and / or the cathode copper rod 23 and the first limiting rod 24 can rotate around their own axes, thereby reducing the friction between the carbon nanotube fibers and the cathode copper rod 23 and the first limiting rod 24. Exemplarily, the first limiting rod can be a glass rod.

[0071] Specifically, the cathode copper rod 23 is connected to the negative electrode of the external power supply to supply power to the carbon nanotube fiber, while avoiding friction between the carbon nanotube fiber and the electroplating tank 21. The anode nickel plate is connected to the positive electrode of the external power supply, and the anode nickel plate dissolves to provide nickel ions to the electrolysis; and by adjusting the horizontal height of the first limiting rod, the angle α between the carbon nanotube fiber and the liquid surface can be changed. Figure 5 ), and then control the length of the carbon nanotube fiber immersed in the electrolyte, thereby calculating the residence time of the carbon nanotube fiber in the electroplating tank: T1 = (2m*cosα+n) / v, m is the vertical distance between the cathode copper rod 23 and the first limiting rod 24 adjacent thereto, n is the vertical distance between the two first limiting rods 24, and v is the traveling speed of the carbon nanotube fiber, that is, the take-up speed of the take-up assembly.

[0072] Specifically, the nickel electroplating component 20 may also include a second bracket, the first limiting rod 24 is movably arranged on the second bracket, and the position of the first limiting rod 24 on the second bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction. More specifically, the first limiting rod 24 is movably connected to the second bracket by sliding fit, and the cathode copper rod 23 and the anode nickel plate 22 are fixed on the second bracket. Exemplarily, the first limiting rod 24 can be arranged on the second bracket by a slider assembly, or the first limiting rod 24 can also be movably connected to the second bracket by a screw assembly. More specifically, the second bracket is fixedly arranged on the electroplating tank 21, or the second bracket and the electroplating tank 21 are arranged as one body.

[0073] Specifically, the water washing component 30 is used to clean the carbon nanotube fibers after a nickel layer is formed on the surface, so as to remove electrolyte impurities remaining on the surface of the carbon nanotube fibers after nickel electroplating, and at the same time, reduce the contact between the metal nickel plated on the surface of the carbon nanotube fibers and the air, prevent the formation of nickel oxide, and affect the nickel-gold replacement reaction in the subsequent gold plating process.

[0074] Specifically, the water washing component 30 includes a water washing tank 31 and a second limiting rod 32, the second limiting rod 32 is arranged in the water washing tank 31, the second limiting rod 32 can contact with the carbon nanotube fiber and immerse it in the cleaning liquid in the water washing tank 31, more specifically, the water washing component 30 also includes a third bracket, the second limiting rod 32 is movably arranged on the third bracket, and the position of the second limiting rod 32 on the second bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction, more specifically, the second limiting rod 32 is movably connected to the third bracket by a sliding fit, wherein the matching structure and method of the second limiting rod and the third bracket can refer to the matching structure and method of the first limiting rod and the second bracket, which will not be repeated here. More specifically, the third bracket is fixedly arranged on the water washing tank 31, or the third bracket and the water washing tank 31 are arranged as a whole.

[0075] Specifically, the portion of the second limiting rod 32 that contacts the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure, and / or the second limiting rod 32 can rotate around its own axis to reduce the friction between the carbon nanotube fiber and the second limiting rod 32. Exemplarily, the second limiting rod can be a glass rod, etc.

[0076] Specifically, the gold-plated component 40 is used to replace the nickel layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber with a gold layer (ie, the second metal layer, the same below).

[0077] For details, please refer to Figure 6 The gold-plated component 40 includes a replacement reaction tank 41, a pair of guide rods 42 and a third limiting rod 43. The pair of guide rods 42 are arranged at intervals along the third direction. The third limiting rod 43 is arranged inside the replacement reaction tank 41 and between the pair of guide rods 42 along the third direction. In addition, in the vertical direction, the horizontal position of the portion where the third limiting rod 43 contacts the carbon nanotube fiber is lower than the horizontal position of the portion where the guide rod 42 contacts the carbon nanotube fiber, so that the carbon nanotube fiber is always fully immersed in the gold solution in the replacement reaction tank 41. By adjusting the horizontal height of the third limiting rod, the angle β( Figure 7 ), and then control the length of the carbon nanotube fiber immersed in the electrolyte, thereby calculating the residence time of the carbon nanotube fiber in the electroplating tank: T2 = (2p*cosβ+q) / v, p is the vertical distance between the guide rod 42 and the third limit rod 43, q is the vertical distance between the two third limit rods 43, and v is the travel speed of the carbon nanotube fiber, that is, the take-up speed of the take-up assembly.

[0078] The gold solution in the replacement reaction tank 41 undergoes a replacement reaction with the nickel layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber, and the original nickel layer is gradually replaced by chemical plating, and a gold layer of uniform thickness is plated on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber to achieve the purpose of gold plating on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber. The guide rod 42 at the edge of the replacement reaction tank 41 is mainly used to reduce unnecessary friction between the carbon nanotube fiber and the replacement reaction tank 41, wherein the third direction is parallel to the first direction.

[0079] Specifically, the gold-plated component 40 also includes a fourth bracket, and the third limiting rod 43 is movably arranged on the fourth bracket. The position of the third limiting rod 43 on the fourth bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction. More specifically, the third limiting rod 43 is movably connected with the fourth bracket by a sliding fit (the structure and method of the third limiting rod and the fourth bracket to achieve movable fit in the vertical direction are known to technicians in this field and are not limited here), and the guide rod 42 is fixedly arranged on the fourth bracket; more specifically, the fourth bracket is fixedly arranged on the replacement reaction tank 41, or the fourth bracket and the replacement reaction tank 41 are arranged as a whole.

[0080] Specifically, the portion of the third limiting rod 43 that contacts the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure, and / or the third limiting rod can rotate around its own axis. Exemplarily, the third limiting rod and the guide rod can both be insulating glass rods.

[0081] Specifically, the protective film forming assembly 50 is used to form a protective film on the surface of the gold layer.

[0082] Specifically, the protective film forming component 50 includes a protective agent groove 51 and a fourth limiting rod 52. The fourth limiting rod 52 is arranged in the protective agent groove 51. The fourth limiting rod 52 can contact the carbon nanotube fiber and immerse it in the protective agent in the protective agent groove 51, thereby forming a protective film on the surface of the gold layer to isolate the air and prevent the gold layer plated on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber from oxidizing and dulling due to contact with the air.

[0083] Specifically, the protective film forming assembly 50 further includes a fifth bracket, a fourth limiting rod 52 is movably disposed on the fifth bracket, and the position of the fourth limiting rod 52 on the fifth bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction. More specifically, the fourth limiting rod is movably connected to the fifth bracket by sliding fit. More specifically, the fifth bracket is fixedly disposed on the protective agent slot, or the fifth bracket and the protective agent slot are integrally disposed.

[0084] Specifically, the portion of the fourth limiting rod 52 that contacts the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure, and / or the fourth limiting rod 52 can rotate around its own axis. Exemplarily, the fourth limiting rod 52 can be an insulating glass rod or the like.

[0085] Specifically, the take-up assembly 60 is used to drive the carbon nanotube fibers from the pay-off assembly 10 to successively pass through the nickel electroplating assembly 20, the water washing assembly 30, the gold plating assembly 40 and the protective film forming assembly 50, and to collect the metallized carbon nanotube fibers.

[0086] For details, please refer to Figure 8 The take-up assembly 60 includes a take-up shaft 61, a driving mechanism 62 and a speed display 63. The driving mechanism 62 is connected to the take-up shaft 61 and is used to drive the take-up shaft 62 to rotate. One end of the carbon nanotube fiber is fixedly connected to the take-up shaft 62 and gradually wound on the take-up shaft 61. The driving mechanism 62 can be a rotating drive motor, etc. The speed display 63 is connected to the driving mechanism 62 and is used to display the speed.

[0087] In a more specific embodiment, the preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers also includes: a first heating component 70 and a second heating component 80, the first heating component 70 is thermally coordinated with the electroplating tank 21, and is at least used to heat the liquid system located in the electroplating tank 21, and the second heating component 80 is thermally coordinated with the replacement reaction tank 41, and is at least used to heat the liquid system located in the washing tank 31.

[0088] Specifically, the first heating component 70 and the second heating component 80 can both be a constant temperature water bath mechanism or the like.

[0089] The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, which reduces the friction resistance in the metallization preparation process of the carbon nanotube fibers and reduces the risk of carbon nanotube fiber breakage.

[0090] The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers. In each link, the friction resistance is reduced by designs such as rounded corners and bearings. The carbon nanotube fiber bundle is sleeved on the ceramic bearing, and the inner side of the ceramic bearing is connected to the fixed shaft. When the carbon nanotube fiber is pulled during winding, the carbon nanotube fiber bundle rotates together with the ceramic bearing, and the friction force is greatly reduced. Cylindrical cathode copper rods are fixed at the edges of the electroplating tank, and cylindrical glass rods are fixed at the edges of the washing tank, the replacement reaction tank, and the protective agent tank, respectively, to provide rounded corners for the continuous movement of the carbon nanotube fiber, reduce friction damage to the carbon nanotube fiber, and reduce the risk of breakage of the carbon nanotube fiber. At the same time, the round copper rod serves as the cathode of the electroplating tank and also supplies power to the carbon nanotube fiber.

[0091] The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of a carbon nanotube fiber, which enhances the wettability and interface bonding force between the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber and the plated metal.

[0092] If gold is directly plated on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber, the interfacial bonding force between the gold and carbon interface is low, and the gold layer and the carbon nanotube fiber are prone to sliding, dislocation and breakage at the interface. Improving the wettability of the plated metal and the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber is the key to the metallization of the carbon nanotube fiber surface. The utility model adopts a method of first plating nickel and then plating gold, that is, first plating a layer of nickel on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber by electroplating nickel, and by adjusting the time the carbon nanotube fiber is immersed in the electroplating solution and controlling the external voltage, a layer of bottom nickel is continuously and evenly plated on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber. After nickel plating, the carbon nanotube fiber is washed with water and then enters a gold plating tank (such as Figure 4 ), under high temperature conditions, a substitution reaction occurs between nickel and gold, the nickel on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber is replaced by gold, and the metallic nickel that infiltrates the carbon nanotube fiber acts as a transition layer, which enhances the interfacial bonding force between the gold layer and the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber.

[0093] The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of carbon nanotube fibers, which enhances the conductive stability of the carbon nanotube fibers and makes the coating thickness more uniform.

[0094] The horizontal angle of the carbon nanotube fiber drawn out from the pay-off assembly is in contact with the cathode copper rod at the left edge of the electroplating tank for electrical conduction. There is a section of carbon nanotube fiber that is not immersed between the contact point between the carbon nanotube fiber and the cathode copper rod and the point where the carbon nanotube fiber enters the electroplating solution. If this section of carbon nanotube fiber is dry, the carbon nanotube fiber exposed to the air between the cathode copper rods will have poor electrical conductivity. In addition, the dry carbon nanotube fiber has poor electrical conductivity in contact with the cathode copper rod on the left, thereby affecting the stability of the electroplating current, resulting in poor continuity and uneven thickness of the nickel-plated layer. To solve this defect, a spray mechanism is added to the pay-off assembly in this case. The spray mechanism sprays distilled water onto the reel of the carbon nanotube fiber to wet the carbon nanotube fiber in advance. The wet carbon nanotube fiber has better electrical conductivity in contact with the cathode copper rod at the left end of the nickel electroplating tank, and the current passing through the electroplating section of the carbon nanotube fiber is overall stable, thereby effectively improving the continuity and uniformity of the nickel-plated layer of the carbon nanotube fiber, providing a good base nickel for the next gold plating step.

[0095] The utility model provides a preparation device for continuous metallization of the surface of a carbon nanotube fiber, which optimizes the matching of the nickel plating and gold plating time of the carbon nanotube fiber.

[0096] In order to solve the problem that when carbon nanotube fibers are plated with multiple metals in the same channel, the plating time of carbon nanotube fibers in different tanks is difficult to adjust and match due to the limitation of the length of the electrolytic tanks for different plated metals, this case designs a plating tank limit rod with adjustable depth. By flexibly adjusting the depth of the limit rod in the nickel plating tank and the gold plating tank, the total length of the fiber immersed in the plating tank is increased or decreased, thereby controlling the nickel plating and gold plating time of the carbon nanotube fibers, and matching the nickel layer thickness with the nickel-gold reaction time. When the carbon nanotube fibers are taken out of the gold plating tank, the gold plating reaction completely replaces the nickel layer plated in the previous step, so that the fibers can achieve the gold plating effect while always maintaining the flexibility of the carbon nanotube fibers.

[0097] In order to solve the problem of large fiber friction resistance in the preparation process of carbon nanotube fiber metallization, the device effectively reduces the friction in the winding process by reducing the friction of the reel rotation of the pay-off component, pays off the wire at a uniform and stable rate, uses glass rods to round the contact angles of each solution tank, reasonably designs the immersion depth of the carbon fiber in the solution, and maintains a stable and reasonable winding component. This avoids the carbon nanotube fiber from breaking during the winding process due to excessive friction exceeding the upper limit of the fiber tensile strength, thereby achieving continuous processing of the carbon nanotube fiber metallization process.

[0098] In order to solve the problem of non-wettability between the surface of carbon nanotube fibers and the plated metal, palladium catalysis, degumming and other pretreatments are carried out before the carbon nanotube fibers are plated with metal to increase the activation points on the surface of the carbon nanotube fibers. By electroplating nickel, a layer of base nickel with uniform and moderate thickness is first electroplated before gold plating on the carbon nanotube fibers. Due to the good wettability between metallic nickel and carbon nanotubes, the bonding strength between the carbon nanotube fibers and the metal coating is guaranteed.

[0099] In addition, the device also uses an external constant voltage power supply to flexibly control the potential difference between the anode metal nickel plate and the cathode carbon nanotube fiber in the nickel-plated electrolyte tank by adjusting the output voltage, thereby controlling the plating rate of nickel ions on the fiber surface per unit length of the carbon nanotube fiber, and better controlling the thickness of the nickel layer. After the nickel-plated fiber is washed with water, it enters the chemical gold plating tank, and the metal nickel on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber undergoes a replacement reaction with the gold liquid, and the plated nickel layer is gradually replaced by the gold layer, and finally a gold layer with a moderate thickness is uniformly plated on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber. The above process of first plating nickel and then plating gold effectively avoids the defects of directly plating the gold layer, poor wettability between gold and carbon, and separation of the gold-plated layer from the fiber surface.

[0100] In addition, due to the substitution reaction between nickel and gold, the thickness of the gold layer can be effectively controlled by controlling the thickness of the nickel plating. Moreover, compared with direct chemical gold plating, the gold plating rate of the carbon nanotube fiber is greatly improved, which reduces the gold plating time and the length of the gold plating tank, which is beneficial to reduce the winding resistance during the metallization process of the carbon nanotube fiber surface.

[0101] In order to solve the problem of uneven conductivity of carbon nanotube fibers and large current fluctuations during nickel electroplating, a spray assembly is set on the pay-off assembly to wet the carbon nanotube fibers in advance, improve the uniformity of fiber conductivity, and provide fibers with stable conductive properties for the nickel electroplating step after pay-off. At the edge of the nickel electroplating tank, a round copper rod is fixed, which is both the cathode electrode of the nickel electrolytic tank, powering the carbon nanotube fiber electroplating, and as a round corner to reduce the friction between the fiber and the edge of the electrolytic tank. By controlling the height of the carbon nanotube fiber reel in the pay-off assembly, the copper rod at the edge of the electrolytic tank is kept in a horizontal position as much as possible to increase the length of the contact angle between the fiber and the copper rod, ensure good contact between the copper rod and the fiber, and continuously and stably output the cathode current. Two glass limit rods with adjustable height are set below the liquid level inside the electrolytic tank. After the fiber passes through the copper rod at the edge of the electrolytic tank, it is immersed in the solution inside the electrolytic tank under the limit rod, so that the nickel ions in the electrolytic tank body solution are plated on the fiber surface to maintain the stability of the electroplating process.

[0102] In order to solve the problem that when a carbon nanotube fiber is plated with multiple metals in the same channel, the plating time of the fiber in different tanks is difficult to adjust and match due to the length of the electrolytic tank for different plated metals, the device is designed with two adjustable depth limit rods in the nickel electroplating tank and the gold plating tank respectively, which are used to control the immersion position of the carbon nanotube fiber in the electrolyte. When the length of the nickel electroplating tank and the gold plating tank is fixed, the total immersion length of the fiber in the solution is adjusted accordingly due to the change of the fiber immersion depth. Under the premise of a certain take-up rate, the adjustment and matching of the plating time of the nickel electroplating tank and the gold plating tank are achieved. Thus, the nickel-plated carbon nanotube fiber of suitable thickness undergoes a nickel-gold replacement reaction in the gold plating tank, and a carbon nanotube metallized fiber with excellent conductivity and flexibility is obtained. The component also improves the take-up component in the process of surface metallization of the carbon nanotube fiber, and realizes continuous take-up at an accurate and stable rate.

[0103] It should be understood that the above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the utility model, and their purpose is to enable people familiar with the technology to understand the content of the utility model and implement it accordingly, and they cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the utility model. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface, characterized in that: include: A wire-paying assembly, a wire-receiving assembly, and a first metal layer forming assembly, a water washing assembly, a second metal layer forming assembly, and a protective film forming assembly sequentially arranged between the wire-paying assembly and the wire-receiving assembly along the traveling direction of the carbon nanotube fiber; The first metal layer forming component is used to form a first metal layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber, the water washing component is used to clean the carbon nanotube fiber after the first metal layer is formed on the surface, the second metal layer forming component is used to replace the first metal layer on the surface of the carbon nanotube fiber with a second metal layer, the protective film forming component is used to form a protective film on the surface of the second metal layer, the take-up component is used to drive the carbon nanotube fiber from the pay-off component to continuously pass through the first metal layer forming component, the water washing component, the second metal layer forming component and the protective film forming component in sequence, and to collect the carbon nanotube fibers that have completed metallization.

2. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pay-off assembly comprises a rotating mechanism and a spraying mechanism. The rotating mechanism is used to load the carbon nanotube fiber bundle and can rotate freely around its own axis. The spraying mechanism is used to spray the carbon nanotube fibers.

3. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating mechanism includes a first bracket, a fixed shaft and a bearing, wherein the fixed shaft is fixed on the first bracket, the inner ring of the bearing is fixed on the fixed shaft, and the carbon nanotube fiber bundle is arranged on the outer ring of the bearing and can rotate with the outer ring.

4. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first metal layer forming component includes an electroplating tank, a pair of cathode rods, a pair of anode plates and at least one first limiting rod, the pair of cathode rods are arranged at intervals along a first direction and are electrically connected to the negative pole of an external power supply, a pair of anode plates are arranged at intervals along a second direction in the electroplating tank and are electrically connected to the positive pole of the external power supply, the first limiting rod is arranged in the electroplating tank, the first limiting rod is between the pair of cathode rods along the first direction, and, in the vertical direction, the horizontal position of the portion of the first limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber is lower than the horizontal position of the portion of the cathode rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber.

5. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first metal layer forming component also includes a second bracket, the first limiting rod is movably arranged on the second bracket, and the position of the first limiting rod on the second bracket can be adjusted along the vertical direction.

6. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first limiting rod is movably connected to the second bracket by means of sliding fit.

7. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cathode rod and the anode plate are fixed on the second bracket.

8. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second bracket is fixedly disposed on the electroplating tank, or the second bracket and the electroplating tank are integrated.

9. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 5, characterized in that: The portions of the cathode rod and the first limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fibers have a continuous rounded structure.

10. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cathode rod and the first limiting rod can rotate around their own axes.

11. The preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface according to claim 4, characterized in that: Also includes: A first heating component is thermally matched with the electroplating tank and is at least used to heat a liquid system in the electroplating tank.

12. The preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first heating component comprises a first constant temperature water bath mechanism, and the electroplating tank is arranged in the first constant temperature water bath mechanism.

13. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 5, characterized in that: The water washing component includes a water washing tank and a second limiting rod, wherein the second limiting rod is arranged in the water washing tank, and the second limiting rod can contact with the carbon nanotube fiber and immerse the carbon nanotube fiber in the cleaning liquid in the water washing tank.

14. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 13, characterized in that: The water washing component also includes a third bracket, and the second limiting rod is movably arranged on the third bracket. The position of the second limiting rod on the second bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

15. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 14, characterized in that: The second limiting rod is movably connected to the third bracket by means of sliding fit.

16. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 14, characterized in that: The third bracket is fixedly arranged on the water washing tank, or the third bracket and the water washing tank are arranged as one body.

17. The preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface according to claim 13, characterized in that: The portion of the second limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure.

18. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 13, characterized in that: The second limiting rod can rotate around its own axis.

19. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 13, characterized in that: The second metal layer forming component includes a replacement reaction tank, a pair of guide rods and a third limiting rod, the pair of guide rods are arranged at intervals along the third direction, the third limiting rod is arranged inside the replacement reaction tank and between the pair of guide rods along the third direction, and, in the vertical direction, the horizontal position of the part of the third limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber is lower than the horizontal position of the part of the guide rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber.

20. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 19, characterized in that: The second metal layer forming assembly further includes a fourth bracket, the third limiting rod is movably disposed on the fourth bracket, and the position of the third limiting rod on the fourth bracket can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

21. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 20, characterized in that: The third limiting rod is movably connected to the fourth bracket by means of sliding fit.

22. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 20, characterized in that: The guide rod is fixedly arranged on the fourth bracket.

23. The preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface according to claim 20, characterized in that: The fourth bracket is fixedly disposed on the replacement reaction tank, or the fourth bracket and the replacement reaction tank are integrally disposed.

24. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 20, characterized in that: The portion of the third limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure.

25. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 19, characterized in that: The third limiting rod can rotate around its own axis.

26. The preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface according to claim 19, characterized in that: Also includes: The second heating component is thermally coordinated with the displacement reaction tank and is at least used to heat the liquid system located in the water washing tank.

27. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 26, characterized in that: The second heating component includes a second constant temperature water bath mechanism, and the replacement reaction tank is arranged in the second constant temperature water bath mechanism.

28. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective film forming component includes a protective agent groove and a fourth limiting rod, wherein the fourth limiting rod is arranged in the protective agent groove. The fourth limiting rod can contact the carbon nanotube fiber and immerse it in the protective agent in the protective agent groove, thereby forming a protective film on the surface of the second metal layer.

29. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 28, characterized in that: The protective film forming assembly further includes a fifth bracket, the fourth limiting rod is movably disposed on the fifth bracket, and the position of the fourth limiting rod on the fifth bracket can be adjusted in a vertical direction.

30. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 29, characterized in that: The fourth limiting rod is movably connected to the fifth bracket by means of sliding fit.

31. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 29, characterized in that: The fifth bracket is fixedly disposed on the protective agent slot, or the fifth bracket and the protective agent slot are integrally disposed.

32. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 28, characterized in that: The portion of the fourth limiting rod in contact with the carbon nanotube fiber has a continuous rounded structure.

33. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 28, characterized in that: The fourth limiting rod can rotate around its own axis.

34. The preparation device for continuous metallization of carbon nanotube fiber surface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire-taking assembly comprises a wire-taking shaft and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism is drivingly connected to the wire-taking shaft and is used to drive the wire-taking shaft to rotate.

35. The device for preparing carbon nanotube fiber surface continuous metallization according to claim 34, characterized in that: The wire take-up assembly also includes a rotation speed display, which is connected to the driving mechanism.

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