1. College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;2. Beijing Graphene Institute (BGI), Beijing 100095, China;3. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Abstract:
The development of high-performance polymer fibers is one of the main focus areas for the global polymer fiber industry. To ensure the advancement of important industries such as national aerospace, the performance of existing fibers should be improved, while new fibers that combine various properties and functions should also be developed. Carbonene materials, mainly comprising graphene and carbon nanotubes, exhibit excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, and other properties; thus, they are considered ideal modifiers for high-performance polymer fibers. Herein, carbonene materials modified high-performance polymer fibers are reviewed to provide a comprehensive overview of their preparation, properties, and applications. Firstly, the preparation methods for these fibers, such as the dispersion of carbonene materials and polymer fiber modification methods, will be discussed. The dispersion methods employed for carbonene materials include mechanical mixing as well as covalent and non-covalent functionalization. Although mechanical mixing is relatively straightforward, functionalization typically provides better dispersion. To obtain well-dispersed carbonene materials, these methods should be combined. Polymer fiber modification methods include mixing, in situ polymerization, and coating. Although mixing can be performed during compounding of carbonene materials as well as a wide range of polymers, in situ polymerization generates stronger connections between carbonene materials and polymers, thus resulting in better properties compared to that obtained from mixing. Employing coating as a modification method offers the advantage of improving the surface properties as well as the possibility to introduce additional functionalities to the high-performance polymer fibers. Therefore, during preparation, the structure and function design of carbonene materials modified high-performance polymer fibers should be considered when the compounding method is selected. Subsequent discussions on the properties associated with these fibers will primarily focus on mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. As carbonene materials can support loads and promote polymer crystallization and molecular chain orientation, it will contribute to improved mechanical properties. In addition, carbonene materials can develop conductive paths in the polymer fiber, thereby improving the electrical properties. These conductive networks further contribute to reducing segment motions in polymer molecular chains at a high temperature, thereby improving the thermal conductivity and thermostability of the materials. Through the addition of carbonene materials, new functions, such as UV resistance, resistance to photo-degradation, and improved surface affinity, can also be introduced. Finally, applications of carbonene materials modified high-performance polymer fibers will be addressed. These include potential applications as structural, heat-resistant, and wear-resistant materials that can be expected to exhibit superior performance when compared to conventional high-performance polymer fibers. Furthermore, additional functions that can be introduced to these modified fibers should make them ideally suited for applications in supercapacitors, sensors, electromagnetic shields, and artificial muscles. To conclude, existing challenges and potential future developments in carbonene materials modified high-performance polymer fibers will be discussed. The excellent properties associated with the modified fibers, as well as continuous development of materials and techniques should ensure their future applications in numerous fields.
