Abstract
The surface of carbon fibre was rapidly modified by reductive electrochemical deposition employing a range of diazonium salts. Three sets of fibre were generated possessing pendant amine, carboxylic acid, and lipophilic amide (N-hexyl amide) groups and the effect of these surface chemistries on interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was examined in epoxy resins. Surface grafting of the fibres was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and physical characterisation of the modified fibres showed that our treatments had no detrimental effects on Young's modulus and tensile strength. IFSS increases of 172% and 30% (relative to control fibres) were observed for the amine and lipophilic amide functionalised, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations of the lipophilic amide suggests IFSS enhancement via soft-soft interactions. Surprisingly, the IFSS of fibres that exhibited carboxylic acid groups at the surface were indistinguishable from that of the untreated control fibres. When applied to polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride, the amine grafted fibres showed a 67% increase relative to control fibres, attributed to covalent cross-linking between the fibre and maleic anhydride co-monomer.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
