Carbon Nanotube Infused Composites via Plasma Processing

• US 20090081383A1
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied NanoStructured Solutions, LLC (Cabot Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Ledford, Jordan T., LaRue, John A., Waicukauski, James A., Braine, Jack, Malecki, Harry C., Shah, Tushar K., Alberding, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US12/235,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20090081383A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/577
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 29/602 Nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 9/133 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 10/06 Inorganic compounds or elements
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/74 with carbon or graphite; with carbides; with graphitic acids or their salts

Abstract

A continuous, plasma-based process for the production of carbon-nanotube-infused fibers is disclosed.

Claims

1. A process for producing CNT-infused fiber, the process comprising:

modifying the surface of a fiber by exposing the fiber to a plasma jet;

applying, via a plasma process, a transition-metal catalyst to the modified fiber; and

growing carbon nanotubes on the catalyst-laden fiber by applying a carbon plasma to the catalyst-laden fiber, wherein the fiber is continuously in motion during the modifying, applying and growing operations.

2. An apparatus comprising:

means for modifying the surface of a fiber via a plasma; and

means for applying a transition-metal catalyst to the modified fiber via a plasma;

means for growing carbon nanotubes on the catalyst-laden fiber via a carbon plasma; and

means for keeping the fiber in constant motion while the surface is modified, the transition metal catalyst is applied, and the carbon nanotubes are grown.