Carbon fiber reinforced composites have been used in a variety of industries including the automotive, marine and aerospace industries. These materials have excellent tensile strength, but suffer from defects such as brittleness and poor interfacial adhesion, which can delaminate and severely degrade the material.
According to foreign media reports, researchers from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies in India and the University of Salerno in Italy published an article in the journal Polymers. This paper discusses the effect of graphene oxide on functionalized carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP).
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites
CFRP has applications in several industries including the automotive, marine and aerospace industries. These materials have excellent tensile strength, but suffer from defects such as brittleness and poor interfacial adhesion, which can delaminate and severely degrade the material.
To address these issues, one strategy is to combine different forms of carbon nanostructures. Currently, several studies have explored the use of such materials to improve the mechanical properties of these composites and to introduce functional properties such as self-healing, self-sensing, and de-icing, as well as energy savings during fabrication.
Different forms of carbon nanostructures
Incorporating different forms of carbon nanostructures into composites can achieve different functional properties and improve mechanical properties. For example, the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes can improve the conductivity of the composite material, and the manufacturing process can affect the specific value of the conductivity. The addition of graphene-based nanoparticles can further improve some functional properties that depend on thermal management and reduce the humidity of epoxy-based composites.
The preparation of single-layer graphene has always been the focus of research, but so far, high-performance materials with excellent electrical conductivity and related functional properties have not been developed. During the manufacturing process, graphene layers tend to recombine, hindering the formation of defect-free materials. To avoid material reorganization, a functionalization step is required, which complicates the process and brings challenges such as degraded electronic performance.
Graphene oxide nanosheets, composed of stacked graphene layers, can solve these problems. Dispersing graphene oxide nanoparticles in a polymer matrix can also improve the adhesion between carbon fibers and epoxy matrix during the impregnation process. The polar functional groups present in graphene nanoparticles provide strong interactions with the epoxy matrix. The core structure of the nanoparticles can promote strong interactions with carbon fibers.
The ability of graphene nanoparticles to provide functional groups to resins has been reported in several papers, while others mention promoting adhesion between polymers and carbon fibers. Improving the adhesion between polymers and carbon fibers plays an important role in improving the overall properties of composites.
this study
In this study, the researchers comprehensively evaluate the recent research progress of using graphene oxide nanoparticles to improve the performance of CFRP, and analyze and comment on 91 related papers in the existing literature.
The addition of graphene oxide nanosheets can improve the viscoelastic, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of these materials. This study deals with the role of functional groups on the covalent functionalization of these composites. The key role of graphene oxide is to open up reaction sites on the fiber surface and in the polymer matrix. The researchers noted that different functional groups have different effects on the composite. The hydroxyl groups provide the fiber with a topology containing voids and a globular dendritic surface, while the carboxyl groups have the effect of oxidizing the same surface. Both of these groups provide open space for the fibers to strengthen the interlock with the polymer matrix.
There are several functionalization methods to improve interfacial adhesion. The use of silane coupling agents is of interest because they generate hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine groups at the edges and surfaces of materials.
Different preparation processes can be used to improve the dispersion state of graphene oxide in the polymer matrix. Among them, three-roll milling can make the dispersion more uniform (other techniques include ultrasonication and shear mixing). This is because the method is easy to operate and, unlike other methods, does not require additional solvent. However, the researchers point out that there are still challenges to obtain a uniform dispersion of graphene oxide nanoparticles. Compatibility with fiber surface modification is better than graphene oxide/matrix modification.
In addition, the researchers also reviewed the application status and prospects of graphene oxide-modified composites. These materials can be used in the aerospace industry, automotive industry, military and civil engineering sectors, including engine components, ballistic systems such as next-generation body armor, and cables for suspension bridges. Composite materials have been used in research into energy storage devices and sensing capabilities.
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