Sol-Gel Synthesis of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Alumina-Silica Fibers

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced alumina-silica fibers were prepared by the sol-gel dry-spinning method. Aluminum isopropoxide (AIP), aluminum nitrite (AN), and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were used as starting materials to prepare spinnable aluminosilicate sols in aqueous media. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as dispersant agent to homogeneous disperses MWCNTs in the spinnable aluminosilicate sol through an in-situ process. The structure and mechanical properties of the MWCNTs reinforced alumina-silica fibers were studied. The results revealed that homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs in alumina-silica fibers improved their mechanical properties considerably. The addition of only 0.5 wt% acid-treated MWCNTs into alumina-silica fibers result in a 60% increase in tensile strength to 398 ± 45 MPa.