Hybrid fiber fabrication using an AC electric field and capillary action

We present a novel hybrid fiber fabrication method for nanostructured hybrid-materials, using an AC electric field and capillary action. Through this fabrication process, hybrid fibers composed of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires were systematically manufactured. It was demonstrated that both diameter and length of hybrid nanofibers could be controlled by manipulating parameters, such as the mixing ratio of SWCNTs to SiC nanowires, concentration of solution, immersion time, volume of solution, and withdrawal rate. In the fabricated hybrid fibers, the SiC nanowires functioned as a structural frame (host filler materials), while SWCNTs were employed for their extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties as a binder or net. Using this method, the fabrication speed of the hybrid fiber was increased by 20 fold compared to the existing method[1]. According to the simulation and modeling results, the fibers are formed by the following three steps; (1) nanowire bridge formation by dielectrophoresis in solution (2) nanowire fiber formation by compression due to capillary action (3) alignment by the torque due to the capillary action. The proposed processing technology may provide an ample opportunity for fabricating a long hybrid-nanofiber.