Chitosan-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulating spread carbon fiber composites with superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties

Abstract

The spread-tow thin-ply technology is a development to promote the large-scale production of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials. Commercial CF bundles (width 7 mm) were spread to ultrathin CF (width 24 mm) to explore the effect of spreading CF tow on the properties of the CFRP composites. Next, chitosan (CS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used to construct a multilayer structure on the surface of the spread CF to improve the mechanical properties of the CFRP composites. The transverse fiber bundle test tensile strength, interlaminar shear strength, and compressive strength of the CS-doped CNT CFRP composites increased by 44.93%, 50.83%, and 36.85%, respectively, compared with the original CFRP composites. Furthermore, the thermal diffusivity of the spreading CFRP composite was increased by 92.59%, showing good thermal conductivity. The resistivity along the fiber direction and the thickness direction of the spreading CFRP composite decreased by 38.32% and 18.39%, respectively. A green and non-destructive method is provided for the surface modification of ultra-thin CF, which can effectively optimize the interface properties of the CFRP composites. This work expands the functional application of ultrathin CF.