Energy-absorbing hybrid composites based on alternate carbon-nanotube and inorganic layers

A study was conducted to intercalate vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) into naturally existing layered compounds and directly forming a layered hybrid nanocomposite consisting of alternate CNT films and inorganic sheets. Vertically aligned CNT films that were synthesized on planar substrates demonstrated enhanced electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. They exhibited excellent strength and flexibility under mechanical compression, potentially leading to applications such as nano- and microscale springs and shock absorbers. Exfoliated clay compounds were used as the substrate to conduct the investigations on the formation of nanocomposites. Aligned CNT films with a controlled length and density were intercalated between the clay layers, resulting in a periodic and hierarchical macrostructure with a tailored interlayer distance. It was also observed that the introduction of flexible CNTs made the resulting composite highly ductile and resilient.