In situ catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes on the surface of carbon cloth

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on the carbon fiber/matrix interface can improve the interface bonding and accordingly increase the mechanical properties of carbon/carbon composites. Here we report the investigation of preparing CNTs by pyrolizing natural gas on carbon cloth using Ni powder (∼74 μm) and sulphur as catalysts. Multi-walled CNTs with 70–100 nm in diameter were obtained at 1050–1200 °C in a CVD system with flowing Ar. The as-obtained CNTs were of a good crystallinity and high purity, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy (Raman). In situ catalytic growth mechanism was discussed.