Multifunctional Carbon 

Nanomaterials

Dr. Nolan Nicholas

MATRIC, Inc.

2/28/2011
“Multifunctional”

•What is “multifunctional”?

•What does multifunctionality

have to do with nanomaterials?

• What are the advantages of 

multifunctional design?

•Weight Savings

•Space Savings

•Redundant Cost Savings
Approaches to Multifunctionality

•Remove redundant components

•Reduce size/weight/cost of 

functional components 

⇒ cram more functions into 

the same unit

Combined Functionality
Approaches to Multifunctionality

•Shape Change

•Conductivity Change

•Mechanical Properties Change

•Changes properties 

dynamically

•Performs each function as 

needed (not all at once)

Adaptive 

Reconfiguration
Approaches to Multifunctionality

“Metamaterials”: Architecture Driven Properties

•Materials properties driven by 

geometric construction rather than 

bulk aggregation

•Manipulate the topology of the 

relevant fields within the architecture

•Optics – Electrodynamic Fields

•Mechanical – Stress/Strain Fields
Carbon Nanomaterials

The Carbon Bond

•Diversity

•sp, sp2, sp3

•Delocalized π-bonding

•Size/Energy/Delocalization

•Electonegativity & covalence

http://webfac1.enmu.edu/longro/www/orbitals/
Multifunctionality from Carbon 

Nanomaterials

•High performance density⇒

Function miniaturization

•Diverse functionality from 

diverse allotrope structures

•Matrix phase structure 

modification

Carbon Properties

~Diamondoid/alkane : Graphene/Alkene: 

Alkyne

•Mechanical

•Thermal

•Electrical

•Chemical

•Nano/Microstructure Modification

•Polymers (e.g. polyurethane)

•Ceramics

•Metals (e.g. aluminum)
Nanocomposites: 

“Percent Contributions”

•Two origins

•Geometric dimensionality 

(1D networks in 3D, 2D 

barriers, etc.)

•Resonance, field 

modification, periodicity & 

coherent wave effects

~25,000 times 

volume ratio

• 1% content ⇒ 99% effect

•conductive CNT networks

•graphene gas barriers

•resonance enhanced coupling
Nanoarchitectures: Percolated 

Networks & Stacked Platelets

•Low degree of architectural order

•Distinctive properties dictated by 

average proximal connection 

between nano-objects

•Percolated networks:

•Field transmission (electrical, 

thermal, mechanical stress)

•Stacked platelets:

•Tortuosity (molecular 

permeability, crack 

propagation,)

•Overlap provides property 

propagation (e.g. 

Conductivity)

http://www.physorg.com/news10408.html

http://parkafm.com/jp/AFM_image_gallery
Nanoarchitectures: 

Pillars & Layers

•“Pillared graphene” 

•High Strength

•High Conductivity 

(electrical & thermal)

•High surface area 

10.1021/nl801417w

•Structural Energy Storages

•Hydrogen Storage

•Battery & Supercapacitor

Electrodes

10.1021/nn102308r
Nanoarchitectures: 

Spacefilling Frames

•Structural Energy storage

•Structural actuator 

materials

•Continuously graded 

materials (e.g. Stiff to soft)

•Spaceframe

•Architecturally driven properties

•Decoupled variables

•High surface area

•Large free volume

Courtesy Rick Barto - LMCO

Nolan Nicholas; MATRIC Research; unpublished
Decoupled Variables vs. Fortuitously 

Coupled Variables

•Fortuitously coupled variables: 

you get what you get – hopefully you like it

•The key issue is how to 

recognize when such couplings 

are present

•Decoupled variables: menu 

item selection... 

•The key is how to optimize a 

multidimensional parameter 

problem
Example Systems & Opportunities

•“Mechanical Plus”

•Electrical Conductivity (both highly conductive 

and static bleed)

•Thermal Conductivity

•Sensor

•Energy Harvesting/Storage

•Vibration Damping

•Gas Barrier

•Actuation & “Smart” Materials

•Environmentally Responsive & “Smart” Materials

•BioMedical Materials

•Epoxy Curing & Adhesive Interfaces

•Graded Materials

•Damage Protection (thermal, chemical, UV, etc.)
Structural Energy Storage

•Aircraft fuel fractions around 

30% are typical of modern jet 

aircraft

•19.7% of weight “around town” 

Nissan Leaf electric car is in its 

power system

DOI: 10.1021/nl801417w

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.09.082
BioMedical Materials

• Drug Release Materials 

• graphene oxide

• nanodiamond

• Biocompatible implants & scaffolds

•High Strength

•Enhanced Biocompatibility

•Therapeutic Delivery 

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2010.01.006
Gas Barrier

Graphene Nanocomposite Gas Barrier

•Graphene impermeability

•Nanoplatelet tortuosity

•Material Stress Field & Gas Solubility

10.1021/cm100477v

10.1016/j.polymer.2009.05.038

Simultaneous enhancements in

•Mechanical Strength

•Electrical & Thermal Conductivity

•In-Situ Sensing
Epoxy Curing

10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.07.004

Improved strength

Enhanced curing 
Nanocomposite Protection

Chemical & physical properties of 

graphenic carbon engender protective properties to a polymer matrix while also 

providing mechanical enhancements

•Fire Retardancy

•UV Absorbance

•Chemical Attack Resistance

10.1021/am900419m

Graphene 

Oxide

Reduced 

Graphene

10.1038/nnano.2007.451
Actuators & Smart Materials

• Smart/adaptive materials provide 

adaptive multifunctionality

•CNTs have been observed to have 

extraordinarily high electro-actuation properties

•Adaptive thermal-conductivity nanomaterials

could provide passive optimization of clothing & 

device insulation

Chen, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 263104 

(2008)
In-Situ Sensors

•CNT composite conductivity is often 

sensitive to operating conditions

•Strain

•Temperature

10.1088/0957-4484/19/21/215713 ICCE-17 Proc.; Neitzert, et al. 20733.pdf

Mechanical Enchancement

In-Situ Sensors
Achieving Multifunctionality:

Multi-Property Optimization

•Topological optimization

•Integrated system optimization

•Weighted optimization problem in 

multidimensional space

http://feos.biz/

http://www.civil.jhu.edu/rese

arch-highlights
Achieving Multifunctionality:

Multiparameter Measurement

•Materials systems & properties 

are measured as independent, 

uncorrelated data points

•Integral correlation & 

regularization of multi- parameter testing is needed
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