Abstract
To enhance the interface bonding of polyimide (PI)/carbon fiber (CF) composites, CFs were functionalized by introducing a polydopamine (PDA) transition layer, whose active groups provide absorption sites for the growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and improve the bonding strength with PI. Uniform and dense MoS2 nanosheets with thicknesses of 30–40 nm on the surface of the PDA@CF were obtained via a subsequent hydrothermal method. As a result, the interface between the CF and the PI matrix becomes more compact with the help of the PDA transition layer and MoS2 nanosheets. This is beneficial in forming PI/CF-MoS2 composites with better thermal stability, higher tensile strength, and enhanced tribological properties. The lubricating and reinforcing effects of the hybrid CF-MoS2 in the PI composite are discussed in detail. The tensile strength of the PI/CF-MoS2 composite increases by 43%, and the friction coefficient and the wear rate reduce by 57% and 77%, respectively, compared to those of the pure PI. These values are higher than those of the PI/CF composites without MoS2 nanosheets. These results indicate that the CF-MoS2 hybrid material can be used as an additive to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of polymers.
Highlights
Polyimide (PI) exhibits both good stability and excellent mechanical properties
Compared to the pure PI, the tensile strength of the PI/Carbon fibers (CFs)–MoS2 composite increases by 43%, and the friction coefficient and the wear rate reduce by 57% and 77%, respectively
In the following hydrothermal reaction, the adsorbed MoO42+ ions were transformed to MoS2 nanosheets on the PDA@CF [27]
Summary
Polyimide (PI) exhibits both good stability and excellent mechanical properties. It is one of the most important high-performance polymers and has been widely used in the aerospace and microelectronics fields [1,2,3]. Chen et al [19] prepared a new hybrid material by growing molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) onto the surface of a CF to improve the tribological properties of the epoxy These studies prove that such nanostructures can effectively improve the bonding strength between CFs and polymers. Because of the inertness of the CF surface, the micro/nanostructures growing onto the CF are not dense enough For this reason, the binding force improvement between the CF and the polymers is limited, resulting in CF shedding during friction. The results show that PDAmodified CF can effectively promote a uniform and dense growth of MoS2 onto the CF and improve the binding between the CF and the PI matrix, increasing the wear resistance and mechanical properties of PI. The lubricating and reinforcing effects of hybrid CF–MoS2 in the PI composite are discussed in detail
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