Comparative study of different bonding interactions on the interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties of MXene-decorated carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites

Abstract

Interfacial adhesion determines the mechanical performance of the carbon fibers-reinforced polymers composites (CFRPs), and different bonding interactions could lead to different degrees of interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties of CFRPs. In order to survey specific influence of different bonding interactions on the interface bonding, further boost the mechanical properties of CFRPs, MXene is decorated onto carbon fiber (CF) surface via Van der Waals force or hydrogen bonds (CF-v-MXene), ionic bonds (CF-i-MXene), and covalent bonds (CF-c-MXene), respectively. Besides, detailed interaction mechanisms of various bonding interactions are also comprehensively investigated. The results indicate that the introduction of MXene is obviously efficient for improving the interface adhesion and mechanical properties of CF/epoxy (CF/EP) composites, and the composites reinforced by CF-c-MXene exhibit the optimal properties. Tremendous improvements of 90.1 % and 110.3 % for the impact strength and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) are achieved compared with the composites reinforced by the unsized CF. The microscopic interfacial structure and fracture failure mode are further observed and analyzed to explore the enhancement mechanisms. This work provides effective guidance and reference for the application of MXene and other similar 2D layered materials, such as Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs), to design and manufacture high-quality interface for CFRPs with excellent interfacial and mechanical properties.