Enhancing mode I and II interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber-filled epoxy-based composites using both rice husk silica and silk fibroin electrospun nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, we used both silk fibroin nanofibers (nSFs) and rice husk silica nanoparticles as epoxy (EP) resin reinforcement materials to improve the modes I and II interlaminar fracture toughness of EP-filled carbon fiber-based (CF/EP) composites. The nSFs were obtained by electrospinning, while the rice husk silica nanoparticles were obtained via acidic and thermal treatments. The results showed that the interfacial shear strength, GIC, and GIIC of the CF/EP composites improved by 25, 36, and 30%, respectively, by adding 0.2 wt% nSF and 20 wt% silica nanoparticles.