Enhance the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of CF/PPBESK thermoplastic composites by growth ZnO nanowires with tunable length and diameter on prepreg

Abstract

This study proposes a simple and effective way to modify prepreg by vertically aligned ZnO nanowires (ZnO NWs) with tunable length and diameter to enhance the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of Carbon fiber/Copoly (phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (CF/PPBESK) composites. The effect of the morphology of ZnO NWs on the thermal conductivity and mechanical performance of composites were investigated. Observed by scanning electron microscopy, the surface of the prepregs and the cross-section of the composites showed uniform vertical ZnO NWs dispersion and strong fiber-resin adhesion. The result indicated that the thermal conductivity of ZnO NWs/CF/PPBESK composites were increased by 47.4% after ZnO NWs introducing. Moreover, the flexural strength, compressive strength and ILSS of ZnO NWs-modified composites were increased by 16.5%, 54.7% and 24.1%. The high temperature mechanical properties of ZnO NWs/CF/PPBESK composites were also improved, which suggested that introduction of ZnO NWs between prepreg layers was an effective way to construct structure/function integrated composites.