News Release

Thermally conductive Ti3C2Tx fibers with superior electrical conductivity

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

Thermally Conductive Ti3C2Tx Fibers with Superior Electrical Conductivity

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  • The strong covalent crosslinking between trace amounts of borates and the hydroxyl groups of Ti3C2Tx significantly reduces interlayer spacing, enhances orientation and compactness, leading to notable improvements in both the mechanical (tensile strength of 188.72 MPa) and electrical properties (7781 S cm-1) of Ti3C2Tx fibers.
  • Trace amounts of borates can promote the regularization of interfacial structures, reduce interfacial thermal resistance, and significantly enhance the thermal conductivity (13 W m-1 K-1) of Ti3C2Tx fibers, thus increasing their potential for efficient heat transfer applications.
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Credit: Yuxiao Zhou, Yali Zhang, Yuheng Pang, Hua Guo, Yongqiang Guo, Mukun Li, Xuetao Shi, Junwei Gu.

A groundbreaking study published in Nano-Micro Letters presents a novel strategy for fabricating thermally conductive Ti3C2Tx fibers with superior electrical conductivity. This research, led by Professor Yali Zhang and Professor Junwei Gu from Northwestern Polytechnical University, demonstrates a significant enhancement in the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of Ti3C2Tx fibers through interfacial covalent crosslinking with borate ester bonds. The fibers exhibit exceptional performance, making them highly suitable for advanced applications in smart textiles and wearable electronics.

Why These Ti3C2Tx Fibers Matter

  • Enhanced Mechanical and Electrical Properties: The fibers achieve a tensile strength of 188.72 MPa and electrical conductivity of 7781 S cm-1, significantly outperforming previous Ti3C2Tx-based fibers.
  • Superior Thermal Conductivity: The fibers exhibit a thermal conductivity of 13 W m-1 K-1, a major improvement enabled by the reduction of interfacial thermal resistance through covalent crosslinking.
  • Scalable and Versatile Fabrication: The wet-spinning technique used in this study is scalable and can be applied to other nanomaterials, offering a versatile approach for creating multifunctional fibers.

Innovative Design and Mechanisms

  • Covalent Crosslinking Strategy: The study introduces a covalent crosslinking strategy using trace amounts of borates to form strong bonds between Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. This method reduces interlayer spacing, enhances orientation, and increases compactness, leading to improved mechanical and electrical properties.
  • Density Functional Theory (DFT) Calculations: DFT simulations confirm that borate ester bonds significantly enhance interlayer interactions, promoting the alignment and densification of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets.
  • Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics (EMD) Simulations: EMD simulations reveal that the covalent bonds reduce interfacial thermal resistance, thereby enhancing the thermal conductivity of the fibers.

Applications and Future Outlook

  • Smart Textiles and Wearable Electronics: The high electrical and thermal conductivity of these fibers make them ideal for applications in smart textiles, wearable electronics, and flexible devices.
  • Thermal Management: The fibers' superior thermal conductivity and Joule heating performance highlight their potential for use in thermal management systems and wearable heaters.
  • Future Research: Future work may focus on further optimizing the crosslinking process and exploring additional applications for these high-performance fibers.

Conclusion

The study led by Professor Yali Zhang and Professor Junwei Gu presents a significant advancement in the fabrication of Ti3C2Tx fibers. By introducing covalent crosslinking with borate ester bonds, the fibers exhibit exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. This innovative approach not only enhances the performance of Ti3C2Tx fibers but also offers a scalable method for assembling other nanomaterials into multifunctional fibers. As research continues, these fibers hold great promise for practical applications in smart textiles and wearable technologies.

Stay tuned for more groundbreaking advancements from Professor Yali Zhang and Professor Junwei Gu as they continue to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering!


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