Method for producing a reinforced fiber comprising a composite material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite materials with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) fail to achieve required levels of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength due to the presence of dispersing agents and additives between the fiber and CNTs, which intervene and hinder optimal adhesion.
Innovation Solution
CNTs are made to adhere directly to the surface of the fiber without any intervening materials, using mechanical energy to disperse them in a solvent-based nano-dispersion, allowing them to form a network structure through Van der Waals forces for enhanced adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dispersing agents and additives are added to CNT nano dispersion to prevent aggregation and bond CNTs to fiber surface, then CNTs can be dispersed and adhered to the fiber surface, but the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength of the composite material are reduced due to intervening materials between fiber and CNTs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes dispersing agents and additives from the CNT nano dispersion, extracting the harmful intervening materials that reduce electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. This is achieved by using a solvent-based dispersion system without conventional dispersing agents, allowing CNTs to adhere directly to the fiber surface through Van der Waals forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the dispersion system by eliminating dispersing agents and additives. Instead, it relies on the inherent properties of CNTs and the solvent-based system to achieve stable dispersion and direct adhesion to the fiber surface, fundamentally altering the composition from a multi-component system to a simplified CNT-solvent-fiber system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large amount of dispersing agent is added to CNT nano dispersion to prevent aggregation, then CNTs can be dispersed uniformly, but the adhesion between CNTs and fiber surface is weakened due to intervening dispersing agent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes dispersing agents from the dispersion system. By eliminating these intervening materials, CNTs can disperse uniformly through solvent-based stabilization while adhering directly to the fiber surface, achieving both dispersion uniformity and strong adhesion without the trade-off imposed by conventional dispersing agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a solvent as a benign intermediary that allows CNTs to disperse uniformly without forming strong bonds that would prevent adhesion to the fiber surface. The solvent provides temporary stabilization during dispersion but does not interfere with the final adhesion process, unlike conventional dispersing agents that form persistent barriers between CNTs and the fiber surface.
3Strength
If adhesive and other additives are added to CNT nano dispersion to bond CNTs to fiber surface, then CNTs can be attached to the surface, but the intrinsic functions of fiber and CNTs are compromised due to intervening materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes adhesives and additives from the system, extracting the harmful intervening materials that compromise electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. CNTs achieve bonding to the fiber surface through direct Van der Waals forces without requiring adhesive intermediaries, maintaining both bonding strength and the intrinsic functional properties of the materials.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional production method with dispersing agent and adhesive is used, then CNTs can be dispersed and bonded to fiber surface, but the composite material does not achieve required levels of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates dispersing agents and adhesives from the conventional production process. This simplification maintains production feasibility through solvent-based dispersion while dramatically improving electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength by eliminating the harmful effects of intervening materials between CNTs and the fiber surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters of the production system by removing dispersing agents and adhesives. This parameter change transforms the system from a multi-component conventional approach to a simplified solvent-based system, achieving both ease of manufacture and superior functional performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures stable adhesion of CNTs to the fiber, preventing peeling and enabling the composite material to exhibit both intrinsic fiber functions and enhanced properties like electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
Van der Waals force causes irreversible aggregation of the CNTs in the CNT nano dispersion
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic irradiation or stirring may be performed in an auxiliary manner to disperse the CNTs in the CNT nano dispersion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
Provided are a composite material and a reinforced fiber. The composite material (1) includes a fiber (3) and a plurality of carbon nanotubes (5) disposed on a surface of the fiber (3). The carbon nanotubes (5) adhere directly to the surface of the fiber (3). The composite material and the reinforced fiber exhibit both of intrinsic functions of the fiber and functions, such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength, derived from CNTs.