Tailoring carbon nanotube/matrix interface to optimize mechanical properties of multiscale composites

Pyrolytic carbon (PyC) was deposited on surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNT) which were grown on carbon fibers to optimize the interfacial bonding between CNT/Matrix. The PyC protected CNT effectively and weakened CNT/Matrix interfacial strength, leading to long pull-out of CNT compared to brittle fracture of uncoated CNT. The well-protected CNT have more effective contributions to the improvement of mechanical properties. A “fiber-PyC/SiC-(CNT + PyC)-(CNT + SiC)” structure was formed using this process.