Stretching The Functional Range Of Sticky Tape

Researchers have developed a sticky tape that remains functional at temperatures ranging from -321°F to 1,832°F.

AsianScientist (Aug. 13, 2019) – Researchers from Tsinghua University, China, have successfully used carbon nanotubes to create adhesives that remain functional even at extreme temperatures. Their findings have been published in Nano Letters.

In very hot or cold environments, conventional tape can lose its stickiness and leave behind an annoying residue. But while most people can avoid keeping taped items in a hot car or freezer, those living in extreme environments such as deserts and the Antarctic often can’t avoid such conditions.

In previous work, researchers have explored using nanomaterials, such as vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWNTs), to make better adhesive tapes. Although VA-MWNTs are stronger than conventional tapes at both high and low temperatures, they are relatively thick and large amounts can’t be made cost-effectively.

Instead, the Tsinghua team led by Professor Jiang Kaili used a new type of tape composed of superaligned carbon nanotube (SACNT) films. As their name suggests, SACNTs are nanotubes that are precisely aligned parallel to each other, capable of forming ultrathin but strong yarns or films.

To make their tape, the researchers pulled a film from the interior of an array of SACNTs, similar to pulling a strip of tape from a roll. The resulting double-sided tape could adhere to surfaces through van der Waals interactions, which are weak electric forces generated between two atoms or molecules that are close together.

The ultrathin, ultra-lightweight and flexible tape outperformed conventional adhesives at temperatures ranging from -321°F to 1,832°F. Researchers could remove the tape by peeling it off, soaking it in acetone or burning it, with no noticeable residues. The tape adhered to many different materials such as metals, nonmetals, plastics and ceramics, but it stuck more strongly to smooth than rough surfaces, similar to regular tape.

Furthermore, the SACNT tape can be made cost-effectively in large amounts. In addition to performing well in extreme environments, the new tape might be useful for electronic components that heat up during use, the researchers said.


The article can be found at: Jin et al. (2019) Continuous, Ultra-lightweight, and Multipurpose Super-aligned Carbon Nanotube Tapes Viable over a Wide Range of Temperatures.

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Source: American Chemical Society.
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