| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1643841 | Materials Letters | 2014 | 4 Pages |
•A freeze-drying method was used to optimize CNT distribution in composite.•Different frozen conditions were used to affect CNT dispersion morphologies.•Electrical conductivity of composite could be controlled by frozen conditions.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced into three-dimensional carbon fiber fabric/epoxy composites with assistance of freeze-drying technique. Different frozen conditions, including slow-freezing, quick-freezing and unidirectional freezing, were utilized to affect CNT dispersion morphologies in fiber/CNTs preforms and composites. Electrical conductivity of composites was measured. The results demonstrated that: (1) frozen conditions had an obvious effect on dispersion morphologies of CNTs in preforms; (2) quick-freezing and unidirectional freezing were beneficial for CNTs to disperse in preforms and improve electrical conductivity of composites, compared to slow-freezing; (3) application of unidirectional freezing made the arrangement of CNTs possess certain orientation and, as consequence, electrical conductivity along freezing direction of composites was enhanced significantly.
