Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>The application of an <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> potential difference between
carbon fibres and a graphite foil counter electrode (300 V, generating an
electric field ca 0.3–0.7 V <jats:italic>μ</jats:italic>m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>),
during the chemical vapour deposition synthesis of carbon nanotube (CNT) grafted
carbon fibres, significantly improves the uniformity of growth without reducing
the tensile properties of the underlying carbon fibres. Grafted CNTs with
diameters 55 nm ± 36 nm and lengths around 10 <jats:italic>μ</jats:italic>m
were well attached to the carbon fibre surface, and were grown without the
requirement for protective barrier coatings. The grafted CNTs increased the
surface area to 185 m<jats:sup>2</jats:sup> g<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> compared to the
as-received sized carbon fibre 0.24 m<jats:sup>2</jats:sup> g<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>. The
approach is not restricted to batch systems and has the potential to improve CNT
grafted carbon fibre production for continuous processing.</jats:p>