Fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube-carbon fiber hybrid material via electrophoretic deposition followed by pyrolysis process

An integrated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-carbon fiber (CF) hybrid material has been fabricated by electrophoretic deposition of acid-functionalized MWCNTs on CF surface followed by soaking in a 10% solution of petroleum pitch in toluene, followed by pyrolysis in a nitrogen atmosphere. It has been revealed that MWCNTs entirely covered the CF surface. Mechanical properties of composites reinforced by MWCNT-CF hybrids were considerably enhanced (up to 120% in tensile strength and 100% in elastic modulus) compared to composites reinforce by as-received CFs. According to fractography observations, robust interlocking occurred between epoxy matrix and MWCNT-CF hybrids. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.