Preparation and properties of Lyocell/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite fibers

Lyocell/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite fibers were prepared by the dry-wet spinning of an aqueous suspension containing MWCNTs, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide and the cellulose. The structure and properties of the composite fibers were investigated by WAXD, SEM, TEM and tensile testing. WAXD patterns showed the composite fibers had the cellulose II crystal structure and retained the characteristic peak of carbon nanotubes. The two dimension X-ray diffraction pattems showed that the composite fibers with mass fraction 5 % MWCNTs had a mosaic angle of +/- 15.2 degrees, which means that the MWCNTs were preferentially aligned along the axis of the fibers. The SEM showed that the MW"CNTs were dispersed uniformly in the matrix. The addition of an appropriate amount of MWCNTs could improve the mechanical properties of the composite fibers. The initial modulus and tenacity of the composite fibers containing a mass fraction of 1 % MWCNTs were increased by 4.49 % and 15.7 %, respectively, compared to the Lyocell fibers.