Conductive Regenerated Cellulose Fibers for Multi-Functional Composites: Mechanical and Structural Investigation

Materials

ShaileshSingh Chouhan¹  Roberts Joffe²  Anton Landström²  Nazanin Emami²  Zainab Al-Maqdasi²  Ayoub Ouarga³  Abdelghani Hajlane⁴ 

[1] Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden;Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden;High Throughput Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660—Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150 Benguerir, Morocco;Laboratory of Crystallography and Materials Sciences, National Graduate School of Engineering of Caen, 6 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, 14000 Caen, France;

关键词: regenerated cellulose fibers (RCFs);    electroless copper plating;    conductive cellulose fibers;    mechanical properties;    molecular structure;    functional composites;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma14071746

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Regenerated cellulose fibers coated with copper via electroless plating process are investigated for their mechanical properties, molecular structure changes, and suitability for use in sensing applications. Mechanical properties are evaluated in terms of tensile stiffness and strength of fiber tows before, during and after the plating process. The effect of the treatment on the molecular structure of fibers is investigated by measuring their thermal stability with differential scanning calorimetry and obtaining Raman spectra of fibers at different stages of the treatment. Results show that the last stage in the electroless process (the plating step) is the most detrimental, causing changes in fibers’ properties. Fibers seem to lose their structural integrity and develop surface defects that result in a substantial loss in their mechanical strength. However, repeating the process more than once or elongating the residence time in the plating bath does not show a further negative effect on the strength but contributes to the increase in the copper coating thickness, and, subsequently, the final stiffness of the tows. Monitoring the changes in resistance values with applied strain on a model composite made of these conductive tows show an excellent correlation between the increase in strain and increase in electrical resistance. These results indicate that these fibers show potential when combined with conventional composites of glass or carbon fibers as structure monitoring devices without largely affecting their mechanical performance.

【 授权许可】

Unknown