Leveraging Van der Waals forces to produce BNNT fibers

NASA has expressed a great need for lightweight, structurally integrable, thermally conductive materials. This need is a central aspect of the "Go" and "Live" thrusts. Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) are strong lightweight nanomaterials with excellent thermal conductivity. These properties make them ideal for fulfilling this need. However, there are many challenges in processing BNNTs into usable macrostructures. First, BNNTs are difficult to disperse which limits the mechanical performance of BNNT materials. Second, the BNNTs in a given macrostructure must be aligned and in close proximity to one another to ensure mechanical and functional performance. Herein, we propose a plan to address these challenges. First, we will functionalize BNNTs to improve dispersibility. Second, we will use BNNT/polymer fibers as precursors to continuous aligned densely packed BNNT fibers. The polymer will serve as a sacrificial template wherein high degrees of BNNT alignment can be achieved. It also enables controlled densification of the BNNT fiber where BNNTs can be brought closer to one another. The proposed study aims to leverage proximity dependent Van der Waals interactions to form stronger BNNT fibers. Key outcomes will be the production of high strength, high modulus BNNT fibers and the production of thermally conductive BNNT fiber reinforced composites.

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