Is the tensile strength of carbon nanotubes enhanced by supported materials?: Effect of supported amorphous alumina nanoparticles on the tensile strength of carbon nanotubes

The interfacial bonding strength between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the metal matrix in CNT/metal composites can be increased by depositing metal or metal oxide particles onto the CNT surface. In this study, the effect of the supported amorphous Al2O3 nanoparticles on the tensile strength of individual multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) synthesized by chemical vapor deposition has been investigated in situ by scanning electron microscopy. The average tensile strength of MWCNTs with supported amorphous Al2O3 nanoparticles was slightly higher than that of the as-grown MWCNTs, which could be attributed to the interactions between the supported materials and the CNT defect sites.