On the flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes grafted onto carbon fibers and the bonding force between them

A simple one-step method of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grafted onto carbon fibers (CFs) was developed using catalysts formed in an ethanol flame, where the reducing atmosphere prevents the CFs from combustion and reduces the catalyst precursor to catalyst particles on the fibers. The growth process was studied and both the type and concentration of catalyst ions were found to affect CNT growth on CFs. The peeling force to separate the interfacial bonding between a CNT and a CF substrate was also measured by an instrumented tip of an atomic force microscope.