Composite Carbon Nanotube/Silica Fibers with Improved Mechanical Strengths and Electrical Conductivities

Abstract

Two approaches to the synthesis of composite carbon nanotube/silica fibers in which the carbon nanotubes are highly aligned are investigated, one involving directly casting and the other using surface modification to induce hydrogen bonding between the carbon nanotubes and a silica precursor. Due to the nanotube alignment, these composites (see image) exhibit high strength and conductivity, and good chemical and thermal stability, and are expected to find applications in many advanced applications. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.