PopTube Technology—Transforming Nanoreinforcement of Structural Composites

This study presents a novel technique to grown CNTs on microfibers/fabrics, PopTube approach. In this technique, only a single chemical is used to provide both the carbon source and catalyst. Microwave is used to heat a conducting polymer to provide fast and energy-efficient heating source for CNTs' growth. It takes only 15-30 seconds to grow CNTs under the the microwave irradiation at room temperature in the air, with no need of any inert gas protection, and additional feed stock gases, typically required in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest CNT growth, and probably the only approach that can be done in ambient condition. The PopTube approach requires very simple equipment, can be easily scaled up for large-scale manufacture, and is highly energy-efficient and cost-effective.