Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are ideal structures for use as reinforcement fibres in composite materials, due to their extraordinary mechanical properties, in particular high Young’s modulus (E∼1 TPa). Usually the high value of E is taken as granted for all types of carbon CNTs. Here we demonstrate that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) produced by catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) have low moduli (E<100 GPa) independently of their growth conditions. We attribute this to the presence of structural defects. Additional high-temperature annealing failed to improve the mechanical properties. This study urges a better control of the growth process in order to obtain high strength CCVD grown MWCNTs suitable for reinforcement in large-scale industrial applications.
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62.25.+g; 68.37.Ps; 81.15.Gh
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Lukić, B., Seo, J., Couteau, E. et al. Elastic modulus of multi-walled carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic chemical vapour deposition. Appl. Phys. A 80, 695–700 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-004-3100-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-004-3100-5