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US 10,947,356 B2Granted
Porous nanocomposite and related method
AssigneeUniversity of South Alabama
InventorKuang-Ting Hsiao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nanocomposite including an array of extended length fibers with nanofibers oriented in transverse relation to the extended length fibers. The nanofibers are mechanically interlocked with the extended length fibers using a connecting agent concentrated at contact locations between the extended length fibers and the nanofibers without saturating the composite. The resultant composite of fibers and connecting agent is characterized by significant internal porosity with an internal void volume not occupied by the connecting agent.
Claims21
A nanocomposite comprising:
- an array of extended length fibers, the extended length fibers having a cross-sectional diameter and a length dimension, wherein the length dimension is at least 100 times greater than the cross sectional diameter and wherein at least a portion of the extended length fibers are arranged with their length dimensions extending substantially parallel to a common reference plane;
- a plurality of nanofibers extending in stitched relation at least partially across the array of extended length fibers, wherein the nanofibers are oriented with their length dimensions transverse to the common reference plane, and wherein on average, the nanofibers contact and operatively connect three or more of the extended length fibers such that the nanofibers form a long-range nano-stitching pattern and wherein said nanofibers are disposed in an aligned “Z” direction orientation longitudinally within the array transverse to the common reference plane such that said nanofibers extend from a first elevation within the array to a second elevation within the array below the first elevation;
- and
- a connecting agent operating at points of connection between the nanofibers and the extended length fibers such that the connecting agent interlocks the nanofibers to the extended length fibers at the points of connection such that the nanofibers are held in supported relation substantially only in the aligned “Z” direction orientation within said array;
- and
- zones remote from the points of connection which are substantially devoid of the connecting agent, wherein the nanocomposite has a porous internal void volume and wherein a control volume of the nanocomposite comprising at least three extended length fibers and at least one nanofiber satisfies the following formula:
- V
- -
- V
- f
- -
- V
- nf
- -
- V
- ca
- V
- -
- V
- f
- -
- V
- nf
- ≥
- 20
-
- %
- wherein V equals total control volume;
- Vf equals volume of extended length fibers within the control volume;
- Vnf equals the volume of nanofibers within the control volume;
- and Vca equals volume of connecting agent within the control volume.
28 more elements
A nanocomposite comprising:
- an array of extended length fibers, the extended length fibers having a cross-sectional diameter and a length dimension, wherein the length dimension is at least 100 times greater than the cross sectional diameter and wherein at least a portion of the extended length fibers are arranged with their length dimensions extending substantially parallel to a common reference plane;
- a plurality of nanofibers extending in stitched relation at least partially across the array of extended length fibers, wherein the nanofibers are oriented with their length dimensions transverse to the common reference plane, and wherein on average, the nanofibers contact and operatively connect three or more of the extended length fibers such that the nanofibers form a long-range nano-stitching pattern and wherein said nanofibers are disposed in an aligned “Z” direction orientation longitudinally within the array transverse to the common reference plane such that said nanofibers extend from a first elevation within the array to a second elevation within the array below the first elevation;
- and
- a connecting agent operating at points of connection between the nanofibers and the extended length fibers such that the connecting agent interlocks the nanofibers to the extended length fibers at the points of connection such that the nanofibers are held in supported relation substantially only in the aligned “Z” direction orientation within said array;
- a surface coating or film and
- zones remote from the points of connection which are substantially devoid of the connecting agent, wherein the nanocomposite has a porous internal void volume and wherein a control volume of the nanocomposite comprising at least three extended length fibers and at least one nanofiber satisfies the following formula:
- V
- -
- V
- f
- -
- V
- nf
- -
- V
- ca
- V
- -
- V
- f
- -
- V
- nf
- ≥
- 20
-
- %
- wherein V equals total control volume;
- Vf equals volume of extended length fibers within the control volume;
- Vnf equals the volume of nanofibers within the control volume;
- and Vca equals volume of connecting agent within the control volume.
28 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.