Coating Effects of Copper in Cnt/carbon Fabric Hybrid Composites Using Electrophoretic Deposition

Electrophoretic process was applied to the deposition of carbon nanotubes on the surface of carbon fabrics in order to enhance the properties of CNT/carbon fabric hybrid composites. Carbon fabrics were modified by two methods: Cu deposition by cathodic method and Cu coating by thermal vaporization method. CNTs were modified by PEI and oxidation treatment. The effects of carbon fabric and CNTs modification were examined by comparing the electrical conductivity and the interlaminar shear strength of the composites. SEM images and EDS analysis confirmed that Cu and CNTs deposition on carbon fabrics was relatively dense and uniform. In the case of simultaneous deposition of Cu and CNTs on carbon fabrics, electrical conductivity in the thickness direction increased one order of magnitude, and interlaminar shear strength improved by 10%, compared with unmodified carbon fabric composites.