Density control and wettability enhancement by functionalizing carbon nanotubes with nickel oxide in aluminum-carbon nanotube system

Excellent mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them ideal reinforcements for synthesizing light weight, high strength metal matrix composite. Aluminum is attractive matrix due to its light weight and Al/CNT composites are promising materials for various industrial applications. Powder metallurgy and casting techniques are normally used for bulk fabrications of composites. Casting process which can mass-produce delicate product is more suitable than existing powder metallurgy in view point of application in industries. In CNT-metal matrix composites, however, composite bulk fabrication has been limited because of the large density gap and poor wettability between the metal and CNTs. This study suggests a method for alleviating such problems. It was found that the wettability between aluminum and CNT could be enhanced by functionalizing the CNTs with nickel oxide. This functionalization of CNTs with heavier element also reduces the density gap between the matrix and reinforcements. It is suggested that this method could possibly be used in a casting process to enable mass fabrication of CNT-metal matrix composites.