Carbon nanotube composites

Carbon nanotubes are molecular-scale tubes of graphitic carbon with outstanding properties. They are among the stiffest and strongest fibres known, with Young’s moduli as high as 1 TPa and tensile strengths of up to 63 GPa. They also have remarkable electronic properties and can be metallic or semiconducting depending on their structure and diameter. There is currently great interest in exploiting these properties by incorporating carbon nanotubes into some form of matrix. A wide range of polymer matrices have been employed, and there is growing interest in nanotube/ceramic and nanotube/metal composites. This review outlines the properties of carbon nanotubes and describes the preparation and properties of carbon nanotube composites. The prospects for commercial exploitation of these materials are discussed.