Scalable Solution Processing of Pristine Carbon Nanotubes for Self-Assembled, Tunable Materials with Direct Application to Space Technologies

Current material technologies limit space exploration and vehicle performance due to often unnecessary mass increase from copper wiring or heavy structural composites. Replacement of these materials to impart lower mass footprints should alleviate this stress and improve equipment efficiency. Fortunately, the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991 has lead to the production of strong, highly conductive carbon nanotube fibers that compete with current material platforms. In this proposal, the current challenges associated with assembling carbon nanotubes via dissolution in chlorosulfonic acid will be identified along with prospective studies to surpass the properties of copper and traditional carbon fiber for direct application to space technologies.

The current challenges associated with assembling carbon nanotubes via dissolution in chlorosulfonic acid will be identified along with prospective studies to surpass the properties of copper and traditional carbon fiber for direct application to space technologies.

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