Growth of carbon nanotube forests on carbon fibers with an amorphous silicon interface

Aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube forests were grown by chemical vapour deposition on carbon fibers by the use of an amorphous Si interface. The Si layer creates a barrier, hindering the Fe catalyst diffusion into the carbon fibers. This method provides a way to tailor the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the fiber-resin interface of a polymer composite.