A chemical method to graft carbon nanotubes onto a carbon fiber

A simple method is developed for grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto a carbon fiber surface. CNT and carbon fiber undergo an oxidation treatment. Oxidation generates oxygen, like carboxyl, carbonyl or hydroxyl groups, or amine groups on nanotubes and carbon fiber surface. Functionalized CNTs are dispersed in a solvent and deposited on carbon fibers. The bonds between CNT and carbon fiber are operated by esterification, anhydridation or amidization of the chemical surface groups. The resulting materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CNTs form a 3D network around the carbon fibers. Likewise, CNT bonding between two fibers is observed.