Atomistics of carbon nanotube-polyacrylonitrile interfaces for next-generation carbon fibers: A multiscale computational study

Atomic-scale understanding of the carbon nanotube (CNT) -- polyacrylonitrile (PAN) interfaces is a critical missing element for the development of next-generation carbon fibers. In this presentation, we provide the systematic atomistic analyses of the CNT-PAN interfaces based on a multiscale computational approach combining density-functional theory (DFT) and force-fields molecular dynamics (FFMD) simulations. Based on DFT calculations, we identify the preferable CNT-PAN configurations and furthermore elucidate the electronic origin of the CNT-PAN binding. Next, via FFMD simulations, we extract more realistic large-scale interfacial CNT-PAN atomic configurations and confirm that they faithfully reflect the geometric motives identified in DFT calculations. Implications of our findings in the context of development of advanced carbon fibers will be discussed.