Fabrication of carbon nanotubes/carbon fiber hybrid fiber in industrial scale by sizing process

Carbon nanotube/carbon fiber hybrid fiber was fabricated in industrial scale by sizing unsized carbon fiber tow with a sizing agent containing functional multi-walled carbon nanotube. •Carbon nanotube/carbon fiber hybrid fiber was fabricated in industrial scale.•Carbon nanotubes were chemically modified by an amine monomer.•Dispersion of carbon nanotube in sizing agent was improved. We disclosed an easy and efficient method for fabrication of carbon nanotube (CNT)/carbon fiber (CF) hybrid fiber in industrial scale. It was achieved by sizing CF tow with a sizing agent containing CNTs. To get better dispersion in the sizing agent, CNT was functioned by the chemical modification with an amine monomer. The hybrid fiber showed a uniform distribution of CNT on the surface of CF. Interfacial shear strength of CF reinforced epoxy composite was significantly improved by integrating CNTs at the interface. Such a facile method in preparing CNT/CF hybrid fiber provides great commercial potential for CF manufacturer.