High-performance nanoporous aramid films reinforced with functionalized carbon nanocharges using ionic liquids

We prepare low density nanoporous aramid films reinforced with carbon-based nanocharges (graphene, carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes), using ionic liquids to generate and control the porous structure, reaching a density reduction of about 4 times and pore sizes down to 240 nm. Because of the low dispersion ability of the nanocharges in the aramid matrix, we carried out a novel functionalization process in which nanocharges were chemically modified by anchoring a polyamide model to their surface. Then, we tested the different behavior of the aramid films reinforced with neat and functionalized nanocharges, observing that functionalization led to better nanocharges dispersion, reduction of pore size from the micrometer to the nanometer range and the improvement of the mechanical behavior, resulting in higher relative Young's moduli values (around 60% higher in porous aramids reinforced with functionalized nanocharges). [Display omitted] •Nanoporous reinforced aramids have been produced using ionic liquids.•Carbon-based nanocharges were used as matrix reinforcements.•A novel functionalization process improved the dispersion of the nanocharges.•Pore sizes of 250 nm and relative Young's moduli values of 2.3 GPa (g cm−3)−1 were obtained.