Strong, Twist-Stable Carbon Nanotube Yarns and Muscles by Tension Annealing at Extreme Temperatures.

Di, Jiangtao; Fang, Shaoli; Moura, Francisco A; Galvão, Douglas S; Bykova, Julia; Aliev, Ali; de Andrade, Mônica Jung; Lepró, Xavier et al. · Adv Mater · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A high-speed incandescent tension annealing process (ITAP) is used to increase the modulus and strength of twist-spun carbon nanotube yarns by up to 12-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively, provide remarkable resistance to oxidation and powerful protonating acids, and freeze yarn untwist. This twist stability enables torsional artificial-muscle motors having improved performance and minimizes problematic untwist during weaving nanotube yarns.