Applying a potential difference to minimise damage to carbon fibres during carbon nanotube grafting by chemical vapour deposition. (7th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anthony, David B; Qian, Hui; Clancy, Adam J; Greenhalgh, Emile S; Bismarck, Alexander; Shaffer, Milo S P
• Is Part Of: Nanotechnology. Volume 28:Number 30(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-07-07
• Subjects: carbon fibre -- carbon nanotube -- synthesis -- chemical vapour deposition -- potential difference enhanced; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology; Publications périodiques; Nanotechnologies; Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa783f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4484

Abstract

Abstract: The application of an in situ potential difference between carbon fibres and a graphite foil counter electrode (300 V, generating an electric field ca 0.3–0.7 V μ m −1 ), during the chemical vapour deposition synthesis of carbon nanotube (CNT) grafted carbon fibres, significantly improves the uniformity of growth without reducing the tensile properties of the underlying carbon fibres. Grafted CNTs with diameters 55 nm ± 36 nm and lengths around 10 μ m were well attached to the carbon fibre surface, and were grown without the requirement for protective barrier coatings. The grafted CNTs increased the surface area to 185 m 2 g −1 compared to the as-received sized carbon fibre 0.24 m 2 g −1 . The approach is not restricted to batch systems and has the potential to improve CNT grafted carbon fibre production for continuous processing.