Covalent Networks: 3D Nanocomposites of Covalently Interconnected Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with SiC with Enhanced Thermal and Electrical Properties (Adv. Funct. Mater. 31/2015)

A novel approach for fabrication of 3D interconnected carbon nanotube (CNT)–silicon carbide composites is reported by M. Terrones and co-workers on page 4985. The two-step fabrication route involves coating CNTs with silicon oxide via a sol-gel process, followed by spark plasma sintering, during which the SiOx is carbothermally reduced to SiC. A covalently interconnected SiC–CNT network composite with high thermal and electrical conductivities is created.