Covalent functionalization of BNNTs for low density aerogels

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Haley B. Harrison (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Jeffrey Alston

Abstract: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and hexagonal boron nitride platelets (h-BNs) have received considerable attention for aerospace insulation applications due to their exceptional chemical and thermal stability. Since synthesis in 1995, there have been many attempts towards developing novel BNNT-based and BNNT-integrated composites, but many advances are limited by the production scale of BNNTs. In this dissertation, recent advances in BNNT synthesis and purification are reviewed and how the increasing availability of gram-scale high purity BNNTs can be investigated for low density composite applications. Such future applications covered in this work include use of h-BNs and BNNTs as nanofillers in polymer aerogels. Polyimide aerogels have great potential for use as flexible, high temperature stable insulation materials. These aerogels can be multifunctional by adding BNNTs into the aerogel structure. As covalent functionalization methods remain limited, we explore methods enabling the addition of unmodified boron nitride nanomaterials including BNNTs into polyimide aerogels as nanofiller, and their limitations due to their strong tendency to aggregate in solution.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
Aerogels, Boron nitride, Functionalization, Nanomaterials, Polyimide
Subjects
Aerogels
Nanostructured materials
Boron nitride

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