COMPOSITE OF SINGLE-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES AND AROMATIC POLYAMIDE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING THE SAME

摘要

A composite comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes and aromatic polyamide, can be made by suspending single-wall carbon nanotubes in an acid to form a nanotube-acid mixture, adding an aromatic polyamide to the nanotube-acid mixture and dispersing the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the polyamide to form a single-wall carbon nanotube-polyamide dope. The dope can be spun into a fiber or formed into a film. Acid can be removed from the composite. A preferred polyamide is poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide). Carbon nanotube-aromatic polyamide composites can be used in applications requiring material having high tensile strength and modulus, such as, structural reinforcement materials, protective elements in ballistic protection applications wherein the composite material absorbs impact energy of projectiles, fragments, or other energetic particles. Ballistic protection applications include armor for personnel, structures and vehicles.