Formicary-like carbon nanotube/copper hybrid nanostructures for carbon fiber-reinforced composites by electrophoretic deposition

An electrophoretic deposition process has been applied to produce unique carbon nanotube (CNT)/copper nanostructures on the carbon fiber surfaces. During the deposition process, ionized copper and positively charged CNTs are accelerated towards the carbon fiber under applied electric fields. An interconnected formicary-like network of nanotubes and nanoparticles is formed where copper nucleation and growth occurs predominantly at nanotube crossing and edge-contact locations. When embedded in a structural composite the CNT/copper structures create a highly conductive and strongly bonded network shown by significant enhancements in both electrical conductivity and interlaminar shear strength as compared to composites without the CNT/copper nanostructures.