Novel functionalization treatment of MWCNTs for unmanned aerial vehicle structure

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Chemical Engineering Department, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt.

10.1088/1757-899X/610/1/012060

Abstract

Present typescript encompasses the influences of functionalization on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using acid oxidation which has been widely reported not only as a purification process but also as functionalization process because it is an effect on the outer surface on CNTs. Therefore, using strong acid effect and high power sonication in addition to the nature of the acid mixture (H2SO4/HNO3) with CNTs confirm that adequate volume of carboxyl groups decorate the outer surface, this functionalization process improve the dispersibility of the CNT in the response of the final dimension of the CNTs. Because of using a high temperature for a long time more than 6 hours.
This work interested in the aspect ratio (L/D) and the final shape of the tubes by using a mild temperature process 50oC with concentration acid for not long time 5 hours, in an attempt to make experimental condition which guarantees good functionalization of the surface of MWNTs with minimizing the CNTs damage, The results were confirmed by Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), Raman Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis.
In addition to the functionalization process we try to save the loss in the weight during the filtration step, in addition to decrease the time during filtration of the materials after sonication. Where the results show that actually functionalization has been done with an adequate amount at this condition, and the dilution for 2 days before filtration have been approved to be easier and faster than direct filtration after treatment.