Nanotube composite carbon fibers

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were dispersed in isotropic petroleu m pitch matrices to form nanotube composite carbon fibers with enhanced mec hanical and electrical properties. We find that the tensile strength, modul us, and electrical conductivity of a pitch composite fiber with 5 wt % load ing of purified SWNTs are enhanced by similar to 90%, similar to 150%, and 340% respectively, as compared to the corresponding values in unmodified is otropic pitch fibers. These results serve to highlight the potential that e xits for developing a spectrum of material properties through the selection of the matrix, nanotube dispersion, alignment, and interfacial bonding. (C ) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)04635-5].