High strength composites using interlocking carbon nanotubes in a polyimide matrix Original Research Article

Polyethylene was crystallized on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) resulting in the formation of nanosheets on the surface. The material was then carbonized in sulfuric acid at 20 °C for 24 h, resulting in a carbon shish-kebab (CSK) structure. Incorporating the CSKs in polyimide (PI) matrix produced a uniform dispersion in which interactions between the nodules producing an interlocking effect that significantly improved the load transfer between the matrix and the CNTs. Consequently, the CSK/PI composite showed a 27% increase in tensile strength, compared to one using pristine CNTs, and 100% increase in the strain compared to the pure PI membrane.