Direct electrochemical attachment of carbon nanotubes to carbon fiber surfaces

A novel electrochemical grafting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surfaces of carbon fibers using water as dispersive medium was achieved by the electrolysis of carboxylic acid-functionalized CNTs. The resulting CNT-hybridized carbon fibers showed a selective distribution of CNTs at active carbon sites on the fibers associated with the edge graphite layers and defects, without destroying the crystalline structure of carbon fibers. Such hybridized fibers should provide a potential for improving the mechanical properties of advanced composites by increasing the load transfer at fiber/matrix interfaces. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.