FURI | Spring 2020

Investigation of Novel Composite Reinforced with Mechanophore-Enhanced Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Mechanophores, described as molecules that emit visible change when induced to force, have been proposed as a potential solution for damage precursor detection in fiber-reinforced polymers. Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes were grafted with cinnamoyl mechanophore and embedded into carbon fiber reinforced polymer. The objective was to synthesize an alternative method of grafting that would increase the concentration of mechanophores, and by extension, enable more accurate damage detection. Tensile loading and fatigue tests were conducted onto samples to determine whether the mechanophore could accurately display the sample’s condition through a change in fluorescence.