Carbon nanotube-reduced graphene oxide fiber with high torsional strength from rheological hierarchy control

Abstract

High torsional strength fibers are of practical interest for applications such as artificial muscles, electric generators, and actuators. Herein, we maximize torsional strength by understanding, measuring, and overcoming rheological thresholds of nanocarbon (nanotube/graphene oxide) dopes. The formed fibers show enhanced structure across multiple length scales, modified hierarchy, and improved mechanical properties. In particular, the torsional properties were examined, with high shear strength (914MPa) attributed to nanotubes but magnified by their structure, intercalating graphene sheets. This design approach has the potential to realize the hierarchical dimensional hybrids, and may also be useful to build the effective network structure of heterogeneous materials. Fibers with high torsional strength are of practical interest for artificial muscles, electric generators, actuators, etc. Here, the authors optimize torsional strength by overcoming rheological thresholds of nanocarbon (nanotube/graphene oxide) dopes.