Adhesion mechanism of carbon-nanotube-based gecko tapes as the supportive device for particular solids

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H02029
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 18010:Mechanics of materials and materials-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hirahara Kaori 大阪大学, 大学院工学研究科, 准教授 (40422795)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: カーボンナノチューブ / 接着 / 地球外物質解析 / 高速接触 / 衝撃吸収 / ヤモリテープ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

That study proposed an adhesion process of carbon-nanotubes (CNTs) based Gecko tapes for tiny particles with impact preloading to achieve efficient and strong adhesion, instead of a conventional method with strong and slow compression of whole CNTs, and its usefulness was demonstrated. The 1 mm-50um sized particles were individually contacted with vertically aligned CNTs (VACNTs), and the adhesive properties and deformation process of VACNTs were evaluated at both microscopic and macroscopic scales. Experimental results indicated that the adhesive strength was effectively improved by high-speed loading at 2-7 m/s compared to the conventional method. in situ electron microscopy experiments showed that CNTs at the adherent interface were efficiently deformed, obtaining true contact areas that would be the origin of good adhesion by high-speed loading. Moreover, the effects of shock absorption, crack propagation, and aggregation morphology of VACNTs were also investigated.

Free Research Field

ナノ材料科学, 機械工学，惑星科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

CNTの配向凝集体からなるヤモリテープは、その構造由来の興味深い諸特性を有するものの、強く押しつけることによるテープの劣化が，その応用展開を阻んできた主な理由といえる。本研究は、完全に配向CNTを潰すところまで押しつけなくても従来より強い接着が得られる方法を提示できた。本研究で得た成果は、配向CNTの基礎研究と応用を繋ぐ意義を有し、結果として、新奇デバイス創成に寄与することとなった。本研究の出発点は、惑星科学分野でのニーズだが、その活用によって、将来広い分野での物質構造解析の進展にも繋がる。また、構造解析に留まらず、成層圏汚染調査、電子部品の排熱基盤などへの応用展開が拓ける可能性もある。