Hierarchical Carbon Fibers with ZnO Nanowires for Volatile Sensing in Composite Curing (Postprint)

Abstract

Volatile management is critical to quality and consistent processing of polyimide composites. It remains difficult to measure and quantify volatiles evolved during curing, hampered by a dearth of small sensors and poor high temperature performance. Embedded sensors should be minimally parasitic and embedded within the composite in order to use for feedback during processing. For this work, we report on the foundational study needed to demonstrate the use of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowire coated carbon fibers as a volatile sensor. ZnO nanowires are demonstrated to function as an ethanol sensor within a controlled environment. Growth of ZnO nanowires is shown, as well as the appropriate circuit to measure resistance. Results indicate that ZnO is a promising candidate and that relevant volatile concentrations can be measured.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA609452

Entities

People

  • D. Savastano
  • G. P. Tandon
  • Gregory J. Ehlert
  • Z. Bai

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Alcohols
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Composite Materials
  • Electrical Resistance
  • Fiber Reinforced Composites
  • Fibers
  • High Temperature
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Military Research
  • Nanowires
  • Resistance

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design