Carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials containing parallel-aligned carbon nanotubes, methods for production thereof, and composite materials derived therefrom

摘要

Carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials containing substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes are described herein. The carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials contain a fiber material and a layer of carbon nanotubes infused to the fiber material, where the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiber material and at least a portion of the substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes are crosslinked to each other, to the fiber material, or both. Crosslinking can occur through covalent bonding or pi-stacking interactions, for example. The carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials can further contain additional carbon nanotubes that are grown on the layer of substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes. Composite materials containing the carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials and methods for production of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials are also described herein.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a carbon nanotube-infused fiber material comprising a fiber material and carbon nanotubes infused to the fiber material, the carbon nanotubes being aligned substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the fiber material, and the carbon nanotubes being grown on the fiber material and infused to the outer surface; crosslinking at least a portion of the substantially perpendicular-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes to each other, to the fiber material, or to both; and after crosslinking, drawing the carbon nanotube-infused fiber material from a liquid to reorient at least some of the carbon nanotubes into a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fiber material and to form a layer of crosslinked, infused carbon nanotubes on the outer surface of the fiber material.