Solution spinning of cellulose carbon nanotube composites using room temperature ionic liquids

Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/cellulose composite fibers were processed from solutions in ethyl methylimidazolium acetate (EMIAc). Rheological percolation in MWCNT/Cellulose/EMIAc solution was observed above 0.01 mass fraction of MWCNT, while electrical percolation in oriented fibers was observed above 0.05 mass fraction of MWCNTs with respect to the weight of the cellulose. Cellulose orientation and crystal size were significantly higher in the composite than in the control cellulose fiber. In addition, in the composite fiber, carbon nanotube orientation was higher than cellulose orientation. At 0.05 mass fraction MWCNT, fiber tensile strength increased by about 25%, strain to failure increased by 100%, and modulus essentially remained unchanged. The composite fibers showed lower thermal shrinkage than the control cellulose fiber. The axial electrical conductivity at 0.1 mass fraction MWCNTs in these oriented fibers was more than 3000 S/m. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.