Claryfying The Carbon Nanotube Actuation Mechanism - An Experimental Approach

Abstract

Experimental investigations of different architectures made of pure, as produced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the main focus of this presented article. Different types of experimental set-ups are used to analyze the free strain of the CNT-based architectures. According to their build-up different experimental set-ups like actuated tensile tests, in-plane and out-of-plane strain measurements are realized to investigate the actuation mechanism and possible dependencies. The first analyzed architecture can be characterized as a 2D paper of randomly oriented, entangled single walled CNTs, also called Bucky-paper. In contrast the second investigated architecture consists of highly oriented, vertically aligned multi walled CNTs grown on a substrate of glassy carbon. The results are evaluated according to findings of various other material quality tests in order to find a significant statement for their possible actuation mechanisms.