Improving the tensile strength of carbon nanotube yarn via one-step double [2+1] cycloadditions

The tensile strength of a CNT yarn was improved through simple one-step double [2+1] cycloaddition reactions that crosslinked the constituent CNTs using a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-diazide crosslinker. The FT-IR spectrum confirmed that the azide groups in the PEG-diazide were converted into aziridine rings, indicating that the cycloaddition reaction was successful. The generation of crosslinked CNTs was also supported by the observation of N1s peak in the XPS spectrum and the increased thermal stability of the material, as observed by TGA. The tensile strength of the CNT yarn was increased from 0.2 GPa to 1.4 GPa after the crosslinking reaction when twisted at 4000 twists/meter. The appropriate selection of the crosslinker may further optimize the CNT yarn crosslinking reaction. The simplicity of this one-step crosslinking reaction provides an economical approach to the mass production of high-strength CNT yarns.