1. Matt Montgomery Kris Behler, Mentor Dr. Yuri Gogotsi, Advisor
Polymers!!! Nanotubes!!!
Matt Montgomery
Kris Behler, Mentor
Dr. Yuri Gogotsi, Advisor

2. Objective Method Electrically conductive micro-fibers
Electrospin polymer + nanotube

3. Electrospinning

4. Concentrations Polymer (≤ 30%) Solvent (≥ 70%)
Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (≈ 0.1% to 0.02%)

5. (PVDF= Polyvinylidene-fluoride) Solvent: (DMA = Dimethyl-aniline)
PVDF pellets
Polymer:
(PVDF= Polyvinylidene-fluoride)
Solvent:
(DMA = Dimethyl-aniline)
(DMF = Dimethyl-formamide)
Our solutions

6. Computer model of MWCNT
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Catalysts
Average diameter between 10 and 20 nanometers
TEM image
Computer model of MWCNT
pages/nano_images.html

7. Problems Solubility of PVDF Viscosity / Solidification
Nanotube dispersal

8. Our electrospinning apparatus
Fiber Collection plate (copper plate with aluminum foil wrapped over it)
Heat lamps to keep solution from solidifying

9. Our electrospun fibers
Do they contain carbon nanotubes?
Are they more conductive?
More of our fibers
Our electrospun fibers

10. Raman Spectroscopy
Standard carbon nanotube signature

11. Carbon nanotubes successfully embedded in PVDF!
Raman Spectra shows characteristic peaks
1330 cm-1 D-band
1430 cm-1 PVDF peak
1584 cm-1 G-Band
λ = 633 nm, 500x mag, 500sec
Slide courtesy of Kris Behler

12. Research continues.