Anchorage of carbon nanotubes grown on carbon fibres Original Research Article

A novel reinforcing material based on the concept of an uniform 3-dimensional distribution of carbon nanotubes directly grown on yarns of carbon fibres has been developed. This material shows a potential for applications in polymeric matrix composites, combining the properties of carbon nanotubes with those of a traditional reinforcement. In view of the dipping process of the CNT coated fibres into a polymeric matrix, a good anchorage of CNT to the fibre surface is mandatory. Carbon fibres coated with metallic clusters and CNT were immersed into different liquids (deionised water, ethanol, n-butanol, acetone) and processed with different treatments (immersion, magnetic stirring, centrifugation and ultrasonic bath) in order to test their behaviour in different stressing environments. The morphological features of the samples were characterised by SEM both before and after the tests, demonstrating a good adhesion of the three-component material, which was not destroyed even after the most aggressive test.