Abstract
Effect of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the interfacial properties of ramie fiber/polylactic acid (PLA) matrix was studied. Ramie fibers were respectively covered by the pristine MWCNT, carboxyl functionalized MWCNT and hydroxide functionalized MWCNT through the simple dip coating method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that all kinds of MWCNT were distributed on the fiber surface at random with some aggregations. Compared to the pristine MWCNT coated fibers with a water contact angle of 84.5 degree, the functionalized MWCNT coating made the fiber surface more hydrophobic. Polarization microscopy indicated that the functional MWCNT could provide the nucleation to form the intact crystalline structure of PLA on the fiber surface. Micro-bond tests showed that the coating of MWCNT on the fiber surface had no significant effect on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS).
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