Carbon Nanotube Fiber With Collapsed Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon nanotube fibers struggle to achieve high-density assembly of carbon nanotubes with excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical characteristics, limiting their properties.
Innovation Solution
A carbon nanotube fiber is formed using carbon nanotubes with at least partially collapsed structures, specifically with a density between 1.0 and 1.5 g/cm³, and a proportion of collapsed nanotubes of at least 5% among the total, which enhances electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carbon nanotube fibers are used, then handling and processing is possible, but high-density assembly of CNTs with excellent characteristics cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameter of carbon nanotubes from conventional smooth structures to collapsed structures. This parameter change enables the nanotubes to pack more densely while maintaining excellent electrical conductivity, directly resolving the contradiction between assembly density and electrical conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by assembling multiple carbon nanotubes with collapsed sections into a fiber. The combination of collapsed CNTs (providing density) with potentially intact CNTs (providing conductivity pathways) creates a composite material that achieves both high assembly density and excellent electrical conductivity.
2Ease of operation
If carbon nanotubes are assembled into fibrous shape, then handling and processing becomes easier, but high-density assembly cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the structural parameter of CNTs to collapsed configurations, the patent enables denser packing within the fiber structure while maintaining the fibrous shape for ease of handling. The collapsed structure allows more efficient space utilization without sacrificing the macroscopic fiber form factor.
3Ease of manufacture
If carbon nanotubes are assembled into fibrous shape, then processing is possible, but high-density assembly of CNTs with excellent characteristics cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsed structural parameter of the CNTs enables them to be processed into fibers while achieving high assembly density. The collapsed configuration allows the nanotubes to pack more tightly during the fiber formation process, improving manufacturing precision without compromising ease of processing.
4Reliability
If conventional CNT fiber structures are used, then basic properties are achieved, but electrical conductivity cannot be sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately changes the shape parameter of carbon nanotubes from conventional smooth cylindrical structures to collapsed structures. This shape modification creates more efficient electron transport pathways and enables better packing, thereby improving electrical conductivity despite the altered nanotube morphology.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite arrangement of collapsed CNTs within the fiber, the patent achieves enhanced electrical conductivity through improved inter-tube contact and denser assembly, compensating for the structural deviation from conventional smooth CNTs.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A carbon nanotube fiber is provided that that has excellent properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical characteristics. The carbon nanotube fiber includes an assembly of a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The plurality of carbon nanotubes includes one or more carbon nanotubes having at least partially collapsed structures. Furthermore, a method for producing a carbon nanotube fiber is provided that includes spinning a carbon nanotube dispersion liquid containing a plurality of carbon nanotubes including one or more carbon nanotubes having at least partially collapsed structures, a dispersant, and a solvent by extruding the carbon nanotube dispersion liquid into a coagulant liquid.