System and method for surface treatment and barrier coating of fibers for in situ cnt growth

Abstract

A system for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a fiber material includes a surface treatment system adapted to modify the surface of the fiber material to receive a barrier coating upon which carbon nanotubes are to be grown, a barrier coating application system downstream of the surface treatment system adapted to apply the barrier coating to the treated fiber material surface, and a barrier coating curing system downstream of the barrier coating application system for partially curing the applied barrier coating to enhance reception of CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles.

1 . A system for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a fiber material comprising:
 a surface treatment system adapted to modify the surface of the fiber material to receive a barrier coating upon which carbon nanotubes are to be grown;   a barrier coating application system downstream of the surface treatment system adapted to apply the barrier coating to the treated fiber material surface; and   a barrier coating curing system downstream of the barrier coating application system for partially curing the applied barrier coating to enhance reception of CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a catalyst application system for depositing CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said CNT growth catalyst nanoparticles comprises iron. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the catalyst application system and barrier coating application system are configured for simultaneous deposition of catalyst nanoparticles and barrier coating. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the catalyst application system is upstream of the barrier coating system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the catalyst application system is downstream of the barrier coating system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a CNT growth system comprising a CNT growth chamber equipped with a carbon feedstock supply for chemical vapor deposition (CVD)- or plasma-enhanced CVD-growth of carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  configured for the continuous synthesis of carbon nanotubes on the fiber material, wherein the fiber material is provided in spoolable lengths on a spool or mandrel from a payout system upstream of the surface treatment system and wherein the fiber material is re-wound downstream of the CNT growth system.