Properties of carbon-carbon composites based on exfoliated graphite

Abstract

We report the first study of the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon-carbon composites based on flexible graphite foils modified with pyrolytic carbon. Our results demonstrate that slight densification with pyrolytic carbon enhances the chemical and thermal stability of the graphite foils, increases their Young’s modulus by a factor of 2.5, and reduces their resistivity by 25%. Decomposition of the polymeric carbon precursors poly(hydridocarbyne) and poly(naphthylhydridocarbyne) in an exfoliated graphite matrix increases the tensile strength of the composite by a factor of 2 compared to the as-prepared graphite foil.