Tensile properties of CNTs-grown carbon fiber fabrics prepared using Fe-Co bimetallic catalysts at low temperature

The purpose of this article is to find a novel way to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on carbon fiber fabrics with improved tensile properties. Using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, the CNTs catalyzed by Fe-Co bimetallic catalysts system at a low temperature of 500 degrees C were demonstrated. TEM and Raman spectra show that the synthesized CNTs perform an obvious tubular hollow structure with high crystallinity. Mechanical test results clearly show that the tensile strength of final single fiber increases by 8.83% and the Weibull modulus improves from 6.85 to 7.78 after the growth of CNTs. The variations of tensile strength and Weibull modulus can be explained by not only the low carbon solubility and high catalytic activity of Fe-Co bimetallic catalysts minimizing support damage at low temperatures, but also the repairment of defects during the CVD process. Such results provided the solid foundation for further development of high-performance multiscale hybrid micro/nanocomposites, broadening their potential applications such as energy-store and electronic flexible device.