Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Networks for Smart, Self-Repairing and Light-Weighted Nanocomposites

The aim of the project was develop smart, strong, and light-weight polymercarbon nanotube CNT composites which will sense tribologically induced damages and self-heal by inhibiting such degradation mechanisms, so preventing failure of the composite. The main focus was on the preparation of new multifunctional coatings and thin films. By incorporation of CNTs we expected to create films with increased surface hardness and resistance to failure. We intended to prepare composites with conducting CNTs acting as composite matrix enhancer, as well as self-healing promoter. The selfhealing should be induced by passing an electric current through the network of conducting CNTs. It was expected that polymer matrix in contact with CNT would have been locally heated resulting in increased polymer chain mobility and reorientation, thus sealing the crack, while still avoiding polymer thermal degradation.