CNT-INFUSED METAL FIBER MATERIALS AND PROCESS THEREFOR

摘要

A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

主权项

1. A system for continuous production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), comprising:
a payout bobbin and an uptake bobbin adapted to feed a metal fiber material in spoolable form through the system to allow reel to reel growth of CNTs on the metal fiber material; a metal surface modification station adapted to receive the metal fiber material from the payout bobbin and to alter a surface of the metal fiber material; a catalyst application station adapted to receive the metal fiber material from the metal surface modification station and to deliver a colloidal solution of CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles to the metal fiber material; and a CNT growth station adapted for CNT growth on the metal fiber material and adapted to receive the metal fiber material from the catalyst application station, the CNT growth station comprising a growth chamber having at least one purge zone depending therefrom and a growth zone proximate the center of the growth chamber, a feed gas inlet inlet that is also proximate the center of the growth chamber being connected to the growth zone.