Composite fibers and asymmetrical fibers based on carbon nanotubes and colloidal particles

Abstract

A method of manufacturing composite fibers comprising two distinct layers having different compositions and physico-chemical properties and controlled, homogenous thicknesses, wherein one of two layers comprises carbon nanotubes and the composite fibers are obtained from carbon nanotube fibers and a first solution of a selected concentration of colloidal particles intended to constitute the second layer, comprising the following steps: placing the fibers in contact, by lateral surfaces thereof, with a surface of a second solution which is adapted to chemically cause aggregation of the colloidal particles and is completely or partially immersed in the second solution, the immersed thickness of the fibers defining the immersion area, placing the thus pre-coated fibers in contract, on the same lateral surface, with a surface of the first colloidal particle solution and immersed in it at most up to the immersion area to locally form a colloidal gel with a fixed thickness determined by the concentration of the first solution, separating the fibers covered in the first solution, and drying and/or evaporating the solvent of the first solution.