Journal
MATERIALS
Volume 14, Issue 7, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ma14071746
Keywords
regenerated cellulose fibers (RCFs); electroless copper plating; conductive cellulose fibers; mechanical properties; molecular structure; functional composites
Categories
Funding
- Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) [IB2017-7389]
- excellence and innovation area of Smart Machines and Materials (SMM) at Lulea University of Technology
- Interreg Nord, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
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The study found that the final copper plating step in the electroless process has a negative impact on the mechanical properties of the regenerated cellulose fibers, causing them to lose structural integrity and develop surface defects, leading to a substantial loss in mechanical strength. However, repeating the process or extending the plating time can increase the copper coating thickness and subsequently enhance the stiffness of the fibers.
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.
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