CARBON NANOTUBES FOR ELECTRICAL CABLES

Abstract

With the explosive growth of electrification, conventional copper cables are reaching a limit in performance, and nanotechnology may enable the next evolution of power transmission cables. A nanocomposite cable enriched with carbon nanotubes could offer improvements in tensile strength, current carrying capacity, and conductivity for the next generation of lightweight power cables.

In this thesis, the fabrication of such a nanocomposite material wire will be investigated. From electrospun polymer-CNT composites, to electroplating of carbon nanotube wires to achieve dispersion and alignment of CNTs, and to improve the CNT/matrix interface.

Fabricating these CNT/polymer and CNT/metal matrix nanocomposite wires through these different techniques and characterizing them in terms of their electrical and mechanical properties will provide a stepping-stone to translate the nanoscopic properties of CNTs to the macroscale, as well as provide a blueprint for future development by identifying the obstacles to widespread adoption in the industry.