Alignment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in bulk epoxy composites via electric field

We demonstrate the alignment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in bulk epoxy matrices by application of external electric field. The composites were prepared by a macro-layer-by-layer method; UV light was used to rapidly polymerize the epoxy and preserve the aligned nanotube network. The nanotube alignment generated strong anisotropy in the composite’s properties. The composite’s storage modulus was increased by ∼50%, and the electrical...