Negative coefficient of thermal expansion in (epoxy resin)/(zirconium tungstate) nanocomposites

ORAL

Abstract

The $\alpha $-phase of zirconium tungstate (ZrW$_{2}$O$_{8})$ has the remarkable property that its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) takes on a nearly constant negative value throughout its entire range of thermal stability (0 -- 1050 K). Composites of ZrW$_{2}$O$_{8}$ nanoparticles and polymer resins have a reduced CTE compared to the pure polymer, but previous work has been restricted to measurements near room temperature. We show that the CTE of such composites can take on increasingly negative values as the temperature is lowered to cryogenic values. We used this phenomenon to fabricate a metal-free all-optical cryogenic temperature sensor by coating a fiber optic Bragg grating with the nanocomposite. This sensor has a sensitivity at 2 K that is at least six time better than any previous fiber-optic temperature sensor at this temperature.

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Authors

  • Erich See

    Virginia Tech Department of Physics, MC 0435, 910 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061

  • Vladimir Kochergin

    MicroXact, Inc. 2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 1207. Blacksburg, VA 24060

  • Lauren Neely

    MicroXact, Inc. 2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 1207. Blacksburg, VA 24060

  • Madrakhim Zayetnikov

    MicroXact, Inc. 2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 1207. Blacksburg, VA 24060

  • Rahul Kulkarni

    Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Jefferson Lab, 12000 Jefferson Avenue, MS 58, Suite 17, Newport News, VA 23606, VirginiaTech, Department of Physics, University of South Alabama, New York University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Georgia College, North Georgia College \& State Univ., North Carolina Central University, TUNL, James Madison University, Physics Department, Hollins University; JQI, University of Aarhus, University of Tennessee, UNC at Asheville, The College of New Jersey, CERN, Florida Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of New Mexico, Department of Physics, Florida State University, JINR, Vanderbilt, Tsinghua University, LBNL, Vanderbilt and LBNL, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University, Tsinghua University, Vanderbilt University, LBNL, NBPHS, Vanderbilt University, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy - James Madison University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, U. of South Alabama Dept. of Chemistry, U. of South Alabama Dept. of Physics, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, US, Department of Nanobio Materials and Electronics, GIST, Republic of Korea, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech

  • Hans Robinson

    Virginia Tech Department of Physics, MC 0435, 910 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Virginia Tech Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University