Fabrication and application of nanofiber ribbons and sheets and twisted and non-twisted nanofiber yarns
A process of producing a yarn, ribbon or sheet comprising nanofibers that includes infiltrating a liquid into the yarn, ribbon or sheet and evaporating the liquid from the yarn, ribbon, or sheet to strengthen the yarn, ribbon or sheet. The yarn, ribbon, or sheet can be formed by solid-state draw from a carbon nanotube forest.
1. A process of producing a yarn, ribbon or sheet comprising nanofibers, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) infiltrating a liquid into the yarn, ribbon or sheet; and
(b) evaporating the liquid from the yarn, ribbon, or sheet to strengthen the yarn, ribbon or sheet.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the nanofibers comprise carbon nanotubes.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein infiltrating a liquid occurs by vapor condensation, imbibing a liquid, exposure to an aerosol of a liquid, or combinations thereof.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of acetone, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, toluene, chloroform, chlorobenzene or liquids having similar cohesive energy densities.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises water and a surfactant.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a polymer.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein after the infiltrating a liquid and evaporating the liquid, the yarn, ribbon, or sheet is twisted to produce a twisted yarn or a yarn that has undergone false twist.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the yarn, ribbon, or sheet is formed by solid-state draw from a carbon nanotube forest.
9. The process of claim 8 , wherein the nanofibers comprise carbon nanotubes.
10. The process of claim 8 , wherein infiltrating a liquid occurs by vapor condensation, imbibing a liquid, exposure to an aerosol of a liquid, or combinations thereof.
11. The process of claim 8 , wherein the liquid comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of acetone, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, toluene, chloroform, chlorobenzene or liquids having similar cohesive energy densities.
12. The process of claim 8 , wherein the liquid comprises water and a surfactant.
13. The process of claim 8 , wherein the liquid comprises a polymer.
14. The process of claim 8 , wherein after the infiltrating a liquid and evaporating the liquid, the yarn, ribbon, or sheet is twisted to produce a twisted yarn or a yarn that has undergone false twist.