Among the most promising candidates for mechanical reinforcement of polymeric systems are carbon nanotubes (CNTs), exhibiting exceptional intrinsic properties such as Young's moduli exceeding 1TPa and tensile strengths of up to 200GPa. Nevertheless transfer of such outstanding properties to the polymer composites has been less than satisfactory and has been asserted to difficulties in mixing and the relatively low filler-filler interactions in CNT networks. Recently, bio-based cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) have been thought as potential reinforcing nanofillers in polymeric systems, primarily due to their suitable mechanical properties and rich surface functionality. In this study, hybrid films containing CNWs and CNTs were prepared at various CNW/CNT ratios with the purpose of studying the potential replacement of CNTs with CNWs and to probe the hybrid filler network properties. For the hybrid films, prepared by vacuum filtration of aqueous suspensions, with increasing the weight percentage of CNWs, the tensile properties improve above the CNT films. In particular, hybrid films with around 2 wt. % CNTs show tensile properties exceeding those of both CNT and CNW pristine films. The hybrid films show a broad range of surface electrical conductivity by varying the ratio of CNW/CNT and the environmental humidity, which opens the way for wide electronic applications of the films. The morphology and porosity of the films are also presented as well as possible mechanisms for synergistic behavior.                                                     

Tough films made of cellulose nanowhiskers and carbon nanotubes with tailorable electrical conductivity

248th National Meeting (2014)

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