CNT-Reinforced Composite Textile Fiber

CNT-reinforced composite fibers incorporate functionalized MWCNTs (carboxylated or amino-functionalized, 0.5–5.0 wt%) into polymer matrices (polyamide, polyester, polyacrylonitrile) via melt extrusion or wet spinning. Homogeneous CNT dispersion requires high-shear mixing (rotor-stator at 10,000–20,000 rpm) or ultrasonication (400–600 W, 30–60 min) to overcome Van der Waals agglomeration. Tensile modulus increases from 2.5 GPa to 4.0–6.5 GPa at 3 wt% MWCNT in polyamide-6. Impact resistance improves 40–60% for CNT-reinforced PAN-based carbon fiber precursor, increasing final carbon fiber tenacity from 3.5 to 4.5 GPa. Percolation threshold for electrical conductivity is reached at 0.1–0.5 wt% MWCNT, enabling antistatic fibers (surface resistivity 10⁸–10¹⁰ Ω/sq) at minimal loading.