Nano-interface effect of graphene on carbon nanotube reinforced carbon/carbon composites

In order to further improve the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, graphene nanosheet (GN), as a nano-interface, is seamlessly grown on CNT with a radial distribution morphology to improve the efficiency of stress transfer between the pyrocarbon (PyC) matrix and CNT. The growth of GN is controlled to ensure that the CNT substrate is not excessively etched and to maintain the strength of CNT and its contribution to the mechanical properties of the composite. After GN grafting, the PyC matrix of the C/C composites is further refined with an improved stress distribution and an efficiently stiffened CNT/PyC interface. Thus, a 72.7% improvement in the interlaminar shearing strength was obtained for CNT-reinforced C/C. Our work provides an alternative approach to fully explore the potential of CNT-based nanocomposites and hierarchical composites.