Graphite is one of the typical forms of carbon, including graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs for short) depending on the nanoscale, also called nanocarbon. Graphene is a protective material that provides flexibility and impact resistance, while CNT provides higher fracture toughness, and thermal conductivity can be obtained by adding epoxy resin.
Conductive CNT wires and CNT sensors open up potential for new composite functions-CNT wires with plated film
In order to diversify the applications of carbon nanotubes, in addition to the traditional characteristics, some new functions are needed now. As one of the new functions, sensor technology has attracted much attention.
Based on the latest technological developments, nanocarbon has been listed as one of the leading industry design projects in Saitama Prefecture, Japan since 2014. As part of Saitama's nanocarbon initiative, the composite industry alliance formed by Saitama Industrial Promotion Public Corporation and Ishizue Magnet Wire Works is in a leading position in the development of conductive CNT wires. In addition to electrical conductivity, due to the π-conjugated system in the entire planar macromolecule, CNT also has less eddy current, its density is 1.3 ~ 1.4g / cm3, and it has light-weight performance. Although it is said to have excellent conductivity based on ballistic transmission in CNT, the problem is that the electrical conductivity has not increased. Because of the non-uniform shape, the lack of long fiber CNTs and insufficient synthesis.
The research and development goal for conductive CNT wires is to obtain a conductivity level comparable to or higher than that of copper wires using CNTs. Since the new concept of metal plating is adopted after the CNT is placed in the wire state, the conductivity of the CNT wire has been steadily improved by checking its shape and plating conditions. In addition to LED lighting, Ishizue Magnet Wire Works successfully produced coils for motors.
Conductive CNT wires and CNT sensors open up potential for new composite functions-pre-plated CNT wires assembled into coils
Among carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT for short) provide metal and semiconductor properties according to the arrangement of carbon atoms. For example, because these CNTs can be separated on an agarose gel column, they can be used to manufacture temperature sensors. Specifically, the Seebeck coefficient difference in voltage due to the "temperature difference between metal CNT and semiconductor CNT" can be used to manufacture a Seebeck element for measuring temperature. A gas sensor using semiconductor SWCNT and having a field effect transistor (FET) structure is also a promising application.
The CNT sensor made in this way and the above-mentioned conductive CNT wires are different from the products made of traditional metals. In addition to being light in weight, the risk of CFRP electrical corrosion is also very small, and it is not as fragile as ceramic materials.