Synergistic toughening of composite fibresby self-alignment of reduced graphene oxideand carbon nanotubes

摘要

The extraordinary properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes motivate the development ofmethods for their use in producing continuous, strong, tough fibres. Previous work has shownthat the toughness of the carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer fibres exceeds that of previouslyknown materials. Here we show that further increased toughness results from combiningcarbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide flakes in solution-spun polymer fibres. Thegravimetric toughness approaches 1,000Jg~(-1), far exceeding spider dragline silk (165Jg~(-1)) andKevlar (78Jg~(-1)). This toughness enhancement is consistent with the observed formation of aninterconnected network of partially aligned reduced graphene oxide flakes and carbon nanotubesduring solution spinning, which act to deflect cracks and allow energy-consuming polymerdeformation. Toughness is sensitive to the volume ratio of the reduced graphene oxide flakes tothe carbon nanotubes in the spinning solution and the degree of graphene oxidation. The hybridfibres were sewable and weavable, and could be shaped into high-modulus helical springs.