Multiscale carbon nanotube-fiber reinforcements for composites
AssigneeCarbon Solutions, Inc.
InventorsRobert C. Haddon, Mikhail E. Itkis, Elena Bekyarova, Aiping Yu
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Abstract
Systems and methods for the preparation of reinforcements for composite materials, whereby single- and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be electrophoretically deposited on fibrous substrates for the production of hybrid CNT/fibers. The fibers may include carbon fibers and woven carbon fabrics. The length, as well as the density and orientation of the deposited nanotubes on the fiber surfaces may also be tailored. The strength of the CNT/fiber-matrix interface formed in composites fabricated from the hybrid CNT/fibers may be adjusted by introduction of functional groups on the CNT/fiber surfaces, such as aminophenyl and carboxyphenyl groups.
Claims28
A method of forming a hybrid carbon nanotube-fiber structure, comprising:
- selecting a plurality of fibers;
- obtaining a first carbon nanotube dispersion comprising a first plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the concentration of the first plurality of carbon nanotubes within the dispersion is greater than or equal to about 0.01 mg/mL;
- placing the plurality of fibers in a vessel containing the first dispersion and adjacent to a plurality of electrodes, the vessel including a conductive frame for supporting the plurality of fibers;
- and
- generating an electric field between the plurality of fibers and a plurality of electrodes so as to cause at least a portion of the CNTs within the dispersion to be deposited on the sidewalls of the fibers, wherein the conductive frame is configured to control the uniformity of the electric potential distribution of the generated electric field to aid in depositing the at least a portion of the CNTs on the sidewalls of the fibers.
A method of forming a hybrid carbon nanotube-fiber structure, comprising:
- selecting a plurality of carbon nanotubes;
- treating the plurality of carbon nanotubes with nitric acid so as to introduce oxygen containing functional groups onto the carbon nanotubes;
- dispersing the carbon nanotubes within a dispersion medium in a selected concentration;
- selecting a plurality of carbon-based fibers;
- supporting the plurality of carbon-based fibers using a conductive frame;
- and
- electrophoretically depositing at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes contained within the carbon nanotube dispersion on the sidewalls of the carbon-based fibers, wherein electrophoretically depositing the at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes comprises using the conductive frame to control the uniformity of the electric potential distribution to aid in depositing the at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes on the sidewalls of the carbon-based fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.