SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SURFACE TREATMENT AND BARRIER COATING OF FIBERS FOR IN SITU CNT GROWTH
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.